By: Omar Silva, NP Staff Writer

Belize City, Saturday, 15th April 2023

Belize's opposition leader, Shyne Barrow, has recently voiced his disagreement with two separate policies implemented by the Briceño administration. The first concerns specific measures for visitors arriving from Haiti and Jamaica, with the government invoking a particular article within the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Barrow argued that this move violates the various treaties signed under the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which seeks to achieve regional integration and a single market economy. He emphasized the importance of free movement and noted that the issue of human trafficking could have been approached in a more collaborative and treaty-compliant manner.

The second issue raised by Barrow relates to the sudden increase in the cost of the new e-passport, which he believes is out of touch with the economic realities faced by the average Belizean citizen. He criticized the Briceño administration for their lack of empathy and compassion towards ordinary Belizeans, particularly low-income citizens who will be disproportionately affected. Barrow also expressed his concern that the government's approach to fighting poverty seems to involve misreporting numbers rather than taking meaningful action to address root causes.

Overall, Barrow's remarks reflect the tension between national security concerns and regional integration, with the opposition leader advocating for a more collaborative and treaty-compliant approach to addressing issues. The controversy surrounding these policies is likely to continue and may have implications for Belize's relationship with its CARICOM neighbors. In terms of the passport fee increase, it remains to be seen how the Briceño administration will respond to the opposition's criticisms and whether they will take steps to address the concerns of ordinary Belizeans.