Opposition Slams Government Over Soaring Cost of Living

Friday’s House Meeting saw the United Democratic Party (UDP) representative Lee Mark Chang level sharp criticism against the government over what he described as a crippling and relentless rise in the cost of living. Chang, the Area Representative for the Mesopotamia Division, highlighted the significant inflation affecting Belizean families, citing specific increases in the prices of basic necessities.  Chang presented data to support his claims, noting a 10% increase in the price of butane within a year and a staggering 35% hike in the cost of a loaf of bread. He also pointed to rising prices for carrots, lettuce, cucumbers, and even water, stating that “housing is through the roof.” He asserted that the national economy is weakening, with a struggling tourism sector and a “hopeless” sugar industry.

Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia: “So we will ask for an extension for seven months of $100 million dollars. The interest payment shall continue as per the loan agreement on the same interest rate and shall not be affected by the extension or suspension. We still have to pay it one way or the other just that it won’t be now but it will be January 1st 2026. I recall I think it was another loan for $26 million recently for the road from Democracia to Belmopan then we still need to borrow $14 more million to finish the road from La Democracia to Belmopan because it’s only 47% done and then we still have another 53% more to be done. The thing is that constant borrowing, we can’t eat roads. We can’t eat roads.”

Area Representative for Cayo South, Julius Espat addressed remarks made by Chang regarding the high cost of living. He indicated that Chang’s criticism of the current government’s handling of the economy and cost of living is hypocritical.  He has also previously raised concerns about rising prices and suggested that the Chinese business community, of which Chang is a prominent member, could help reduce the cost of living by lowering their profits.  

Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South: “The gentleman said everything but he forgot to mention that the loan that the Prime Minister was speaking of is a loan that your government did. $100 million dollars so all the rhetoric that you’re speaking goes right back to your UDP government. This loan was made in 2019 under the UDP government…..”

Lee Mark Chang, Area Representative, Mesopotamia: “Just a point of clarification. These loans were from 2004, just a point of clarifications. It’s both parties, both governments have done these borrowings it’s not only one it’s two.”

John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “He’s now allowing a clarification he needs to ask for a clarification and then the Honorable Member needs to accept and he said no so he should sit down.”

House Speaker: “Members can we please have the member from Cayo South continue ? And Member from Mesopotamia. Member from Cayo South can you please continue ?”

Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South: “Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. We have been here all morning and part of the afternoon without interruption giving the opposition all the opportunity. What I’m saying is a fact. I’m not insulting anybody, I’m not doing anything against parliamentary rules because I know that quite well I have breached them in the past, I have studied them quite clearly. The gentleman just forgot to mention to the Belizean people that the $100 million dollar loan that was done for the Sartenaj Road that we are completing at the end of September was a loan done under the United Democratic Party. His rhetoric of we can’t eat streets goes back from the loan from the United Democratic Party that was done for a sugar road. So everything that you have said was not bad but you were smart enough to leave that out and I just want to make it clear where the loan came from and what we are seeking to do, that’s all. Have a good day sir.”