By: Omar Silva

Editor: National Perspective Bz DIGITAL 2024

Belize City: Tuesday 13th August 2024

In November 2020, the People's United Party (PUP) swept into power in Belize with an overwhelming victory, claiming 26 of the 31 seats in the House of Representatives. After spending 13 years in opposition, the PUP capitalized on widespread dissatisfaction with the United Democratic Party (UDP) and their handling of the country’s economic challenges, particularly in the face of IMF interventions. The PUP's ascension was fueled by bold promises encapsulated in their "Plan Belize," a vision that pledged to uplift the nation through comprehensive social programs and economic reforms. However, nearly four years into their administration, the reality of Plan Belize has been far less transformative than promised.

The UDP’s Resistance and the PUP’s Reversal

During their time in opposition, the PUP were vocal critics of the IMF's involvement in Belize's economic affairs. They lambasted the UDP government under Prime Minister Dean Barrow for what they saw as capitulation to international pressures, even as the country struggled with the fallout of globalization. The UDP, to their credit, resisted many of the IMF's stern recommendations, choosing instead to re-nationalize key national assets like Belize Telecommunications Limited (BTL) and Belize Electricity Limited (BEL). These moves were intended to reclaim control over vital sectors, yet the burden of the national debt and the pressures of the pandemic led to extensive borrowing, further complicating the economic landscape.

Upon taking power, the PUP promised sweeping reforms under Plan Belize—a comprehensive strategy that included housing for all, free education, and universal healthcare through National Health Insurance (NHI). But as time has shown, these promises have been diluted or deferred, leaving many Belizeans disillusioned with the government they once hoped would be a beacon of change.

Plan Belize: Promises vs. Reality

One of the central tenets of Plan Belize was the promise of housing for all. What has transpired, however, is a scaled-back initiative that provides barely a one-bedroom, ultra-limited bachelor quarters for single mothers. This stark contrast to the more substantial one, two, and three-bedroom homes built by the previous PUP Musa/Fonseca administration of 1998-2008 has left many families in limbo, unable to make do with the limited space and forced to continue living in substandard conditions.

The promise of free education for all has similarly fallen short. While a few high schools in each district now offer free tuition, this does not cover the full cost of education. Families are still burdened with the costs of registration, books, and other school-related expenses, making the dream of free education more of a mirage than a reality.

Healthcare under Plan Belize was supposed to see the expansion of the NHI to all districts. Yet, this too has been limited in scope, with only certain areas prioritized and a budget that barely scratches the surface of the healthcare needs of the population. The selective implementation of these programs has exposed the PUP's strategy as more of a political tool than a genuine effort to improve the lives of Belizeans.

The IMF’s Continued Influence

Despite the PUP’s earlier rhetoric against the IMF, the reality of governance has forced them into a reluctant partnership with the very institution they once decried. The IMF continues to arm-bend the government into making unpopular decisions—raising tariffs, increasing the cost of driver's licenses, and escalating the fees associated with doing business. These measures, while praised by the IMF as necessary for fiscal stability, have further strained Belize’s social fabric. The cost of living remains high, and the poor continue to bear the brunt of these policies, with little in the way of support or relief from the government.

The re-nationalized assets, which were supposed to benefit the people, are still being run as profit-driven entities. The cost of water, electricity, and telecommunications services remains sky-high, with little to no relief in sight. This has led many to question whether the re-nationalization was truly for the benefit of Belizeans or merely a cosmetic change to maintain political power.

The Deception of Debt Reduction

The PUP government has boasted about reducing Belize’s foreign debt, yet this narrative is misleading. While some debt restructuring has occurred, the government has also borrowed over $1.7 billion during the last four years, a figure that rarely makes it into official statements. Belize continues to survive on a combination of grants and loans, with little progress made toward genuine economic independence.

This borrowing binge, coupled with the selective implementation of social programs, reveals a government more concerned with maintaining its political position than with delivering on its promises. Plan Belize, once heralded as a roadmap to prosperity, now appears to be little more than a strategy for securing votes in the upcoming 2025 election, and perhaps even beyond.

Conclusion: Time to Wake Up

Belizeans must wake up to the reality that the business of politics in Belize is not the business of the people. The promises of Plan Belize have not been fulfilled, and the economic pressures imposed by globalization and the IMF continue to weigh heavily on our nation. As we approach the next election cycle, it is imperative that we demand more from our leaders—accountability, transparency, and policies that genuinely serve the interests of the people, rather than the political elite.

The time has come to critically assess the direction in which our country is heading. If we continue on this path, we risk further entrenching the inequalities that have plagued us for decades. Belize deserves better, and it is up to us, the people, to demand it.