… P.M. Briceño Addresses Anti-Inflation and Food Security Summit

By: Omar Silva, NP Staff Writer

Belize City, Thursday 6th Abril 2023

On Wednesday, leaders from 11 Latin American and Caribbean countries met virtually to address the issue of inflation in the region. The heads of state agreed to work together to outline measures aimed at taming inflation and improving trade conditions. One of the agreements reached was the creation of a working group of government representatives tasked with identifying regional measures to coordinate the trade of commodities and fertilizers, among other goods. Belize was among the countries that participated in the meeting and agreed to schedule an anti-inflation summit for May 6-7 in Mexico. In his address at the summit, Belize Prime Minister John Briceño emphasized the devastating impact of inflation and the need for like-minded leaders to work together to overcome this challenge. He also highlighted the importance of sustainable development goals, reducing poverty, promoting decent work, and modernizing industry and infrastructure. Additionally, Briceño signaled that Belize will benefit greatly from Mexico’s Sembrano Vida project, which aims to drive improvements in sustainable agricultural processes and practices. The meeting was attended by heads of state from Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Venezuela, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Argentine President Alberto Fernández also attended the meeting virtually, tweeting about the importance of food sovereignty and the climate crisis. The meeting took place on the same day that statistics from the Buenos Aires City government revealed inflation in the capital was at 7.1% in March and running at 105.5% interannual.

Heads of State agreed to coordinate trade of commodities, fertilizers among other goods. Guaranteeing food sovereignty is fundamental in this region and the world.