Price Gouging Outrage in San Pedro and Caye Caulker

In related news: San Pedro and Caye Caulker residents are up in arms over instances of price gouging as goods become increasingly expensive. One store has come under fire for selling a loaf of bread for $5, a price many believe was exploitative and unjustifiable. Authorities have been alerted to the issue and an investigation into the store’s pricing practices is reportedly underway. Community leaders are urging residents to report any instances of suspected price gouging. Minister of Disaster Risk Management and Area Representative of Belize Rural South Andre Perez spoke on the issue and measures being taken to crack down on unscrupulous business owners.

Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management: “We do not have any space for that type of business. I think these unscrupulous businesses that take advantage of our community, when in fact it is our community that gives them that opportunity to do business in San Pedro and Ambergris Caye and by extension in Caye Caulker as well, that’s uncalled for. It’s illegal as well, of course, to do that but also it’s unethical, man. You don’t do that to a community that is needy at the same time. So we know who they are. The mayor and I were very much discussing that. We are going to be visiting these people and also to further mention that the Bureau of Standards we’re actively engaged with them and they are going to actually to avoid this, it happens all the time. This is not the only time we are seeing this, but especially in this extraordinary time where the storms is, we are under threat, no? But the point is this. We are looking by getting trained eight people. We have got now the advice already from the Bureau of Standards, it is. We’re going to get eight people and two for Caye Caulker to go through that training. So we have them permanently staffed here in San Pedro and Caye Caulker.”

This week, nine businesses were ticketed by the Supplies Control Unit.