By: Omar Silva

Editor: National Perspective Bz DIGITAL 2024

www.nationalperspectivebz.com

Belize City: Friday, 11th October 2024

In the latest national survey conducted by Viking Strategies LLC, Belizeans expressed their growing dissatisfaction with the state of the nation, particularly highlighting the critical issues of economic instability, corruption, and the rampant rise in crime. These concerns are not new, but what is striking is how the government, despite its promises, has failed to address the realities that affect the majority of the population, particularly the most vulnerable.

While the People’s United Party (PUP) has made strides in improving infrastructure, health care, and education, these developments have not been felt evenly across the nation. In fact, the stark contrast between the experience of the middle and upper classes and those at the margins is becoming increasingly evident. The most vulnerable—those struggling with poverty, inadequate housing, and limited access to opportunities—bear the brunt of the high cost of living, corruption, and crime. It is in these communities, often forgotten by the decision-makers, where the effects of a government detached from the people's daily struggles are most deeply felt.

The Reality of Poverty Amid Political Promises

The government’s focus on infrastructure and education may look good on paper, but it does little to address the daily struggles of those living below the poverty line. In the most vulnerable areas—Belize City’s Southside, rural villages, and towns with limited access to services—the gap between policy and reality is widening.

The survey clearly highlights that while the middle class is beginning to feel the pinch of rising prices, the masses in poverty have been feeling it all along. For them, the promise of better roads and schools does little to fill their empty stomachs or protect them from the violence that surrounds them. As crime rates continue to soar, these communities are often left unprotected, with law enforcement efforts falling short, and the underlying causes of poverty—such as unemployment and limited access to quality health care—left unaddressed.

Corruption: An Unspoken Crisis

Despite repeated promises from the PUP government, corruption remains rampant. The lack of transparency and accountability has eroded public trust, with citizens seeing little to no improvement in the mechanisms meant to ensure good governance. The survey data reflect this reality, with Belizeans continuing to voice concerns about the government's failure to combat corruption effectively.

The sad truth is that corruption affects the poorest the most. When public funds meant for development projects are siphoned off or mismanaged, the impact is felt not by the ministers in their air-conditioned offices, but by the single mother in Southside Belize City who can't find work, or the farmer in Toledo struggling to make ends meet. Corruption is not an abstract issue—it's a day-to-day reality for many Belizeans, who see their hopes for a better life continually dashed by a system that seems to prioritize the rich and powerful over the needs of the masses.

Crime: A Growing Fear for All

The PUP government’s inability to effectively address the crime crisis is perhaps the most glaring failure. Crime, particularly violent crime, has become a part of daily life in many communities, with families living in fear for their safety. The survey reflects the frustration of citizens who feel that the government has not taken sufficient steps to reduce crime or address its root causes.

While the middle class can afford gated communities and private security, the reality for those in poorer areas is far different. With gangs controlling large parts of the urban landscape, particularly in Belize City, and law enforcement either overwhelmed or complicit, many Belizeans feel abandoned by the government. The state's failure to protect its citizens, especially those most vulnerable, has created an environment of fear and hopelessness.

The Middle Class: Feeling the Pinch

Even those in the middle class, who were once relatively insulated from the worst effects of Belize’s socio-economic issues, are now feeling the strain. The rising cost of living, driven by inflation, has eroded their purchasing power, and they too have become increasingly vocal about the government's failure to manage the economy effectively.

While infrastructure improvements are a positive step, they are not enough to address the deeper, more systemic issues that Belize faces. Crime, corruption, and the high cost of living continue to weigh heavily on the middle class, further widening the gap between the haves and the have-nots.

A Government Out of Touch

This government seems out of touch with the reality faced by the majority of Belizeans. The improvements it boasts about are not being felt by the people who need them most. The poor, the vulnerable, and even the once-comfortable middle class are increasingly dissatisfied with a government that appears more interested in optics than in substance.

Belizeans deserve better. They deserve a government that not only listens but also acts on the critical issues affecting their daily lives. As we move towards the next general election, it is clear that the PUP government must re-evaluate its priorities if it hopes to win back the trust of the people. Addressing crime, corruption, and the economic challenges facing Belize is not just a matter of policy—it is a matter of survival for many Belizean families.

The time for real change is now. The government must stop ignoring the cries of the masses and start implementing meaningful reforms that will truly uplift the people of Belize. Anything less will only deepen the divide between the government and the people it is supposed to serve.