Civil unrest broke out Belmopan, capital city Belize, provoked release new national budget with significant tax increases well anger ruling People’s United Party worsening fiscal condition Belizean government. government’s 2005-2006 budget, released on Jan. 13, includes major tax increases on variety businesses commodities further delays long overdue raises teachers public service workers.
No longer could popular frustration restrained after years alleged financial mismanagement corruption People’s United Party included non-stop spending borrowing, sale country’s assets, privatizing water, electricity, airport port, even potential leasing barrier reef Mayan archaeological sites. Belize bordered Mexico, Guatemala and 270-mile Caribbean coastline.
Among demonstrators on Jan. 21 front Belize National Assembly were teachers, union members, civil society business people who represent cross section Belizean population.
The Belize population almost 32.9 percent Creole (mixed Black with white), 40.7 percent Mestizo (Indigenous white), 6.1 percent Garifuna (Blacks originating Africans Caribs), 10.6 percent Maya 9.7 percent “other,” which includes East Indians, Middle Easterners, Europeans Chinese.
The new budget sparked protests National Assembly building on Jan. 15. Chamber Commerce, unions, Better Business Bureau civil society called implementation of reforms against continued corruption, before any new taxes are even considered. government decided did not have pay attention. Prime Minister Said Musa said budget measure, which raises some taxes much 22 percent, increases are necessary help pay spiraling international debt. administration has been plagued financial scandals higher living costs. The people finally said “enough!” general strike called Jan. 20-21 rare coalition unions, businesses civil society. call answered. About 90 percent businesses schools, primary university level, closed nationwide.
George Frazer, general secretary umbrella National Trade Union Congress Belize, called general strike, saying unions want send clear message government: “We are prepared work along with any government try best interest Belize see where can close gaps, but first have close those loopholes those areas where abuses have come.”
The Belize National Teachers Union ordered its members out classroom on Thursday Friday. Their president, Anthony Fuentes, told reporters need government tax Belizean people: “There are lot monies out government needs collect, are saying need collect these monies.”
The Public Service Union instructed its members stay home, along with Christian Workers Union other unions representing telecommunications, electricity water services workers. They issued directives their members not report work until further notice.
The Belize Chamber Commerce Industry Belize Business Bureau issued strike orders their members, but BBB went one step further extended strike Saturday.
On Thursday, Jan. 20, one day ahead 2005-2006 budget debate, unions led way, staging marches rallies across country. Belize City, crowd 800-1,000 supporters took their protests streets, marching Memorial Park through some principal streets Belize City Battlefield Park, hoisting strongly worded signs singing union songs.
On Friday, capital city Belmopan, huge angry crowd demonstrated front National Assembly House Representatives met inside discuss implementation new taxes. Throughout, demonstrators loudly expressed their rage but overall remained remarkably controlled well behaved.
Protestors threw rocks police, who responded with rubber bullets, plastic pellets riot gas. Several protestors were arrested. permission demonstration ended 3 p.m., but protestors were given one-hour extension. At end extension, repeated demands dispersal were largely ignored. Some union workers lay down refused leave, wanting wa members National Assembly come out; were physically dragged area.
Though opposition United Democratic Party participated on side those calling demonstration, ruling PUP called counter–demonstration, message people clear – had nothing with party politics divisions; had with need make government accountable, implement reforms, stop corruption address needs people.
In August 2004, people Belize found out their country’s state pension fund had shelled out $3 million cover debt guarantees company owned former government minister. Seven ministers – more than half cabinet – resigned demand firing finance minister. prime minister did not fire finance minister but took over finance portfolio himself, brought “rebels” back into cabinet.
Since Mr. Musa took office 1998, public debt has increased 41 percent GDP 93 percent, much borrowed commercial rates. Belize among 30 most heavily indebted emerging economy governments. Seven Caribbean countries, including Belize, are top 10. Except case bluest-chip borrowers, economists worry when public debt goes much above 50 percent GDP, according Caribbean Net News Aug. 27, 2004.
Two seven cabinet members have recently been shuffled out cabinet but have not attacked government any further. Therefore, most telling indictment Mr. Musa’s government on Friday when two PUP dissidents, Mark Espat Cordel Hyde, voted against budget with opposition. an historic first Belizean political history.
“We voted against budget,” said Cordel Hyde, “because budget does not support poor people, my constituents are poor people.” He added later television interviewer, “If I still the cabinet budget presented, I would have voted against budget would have signaled my resignation cabinet.”
Mark Espat, other dissident, said, “I am working my constituents I will continue so. I am member PUP today, but I believe today vote conscience. Earlier week, African Americans us celebrated birthday Martin Luther King Jr., critical times career, march civil rights, he said such thing trumpet conscience, and that trumpet sounded today. sounded loudly, vote conscience.”
The government has been running large budget defic spending much more than takes in. has huge trade deficit. Cronies insiders have been rewarded with big contracts sweetheart deals. Small entrepreneurs conservation interests have been dissed. big stakeholders – Carnival Cruise Lines political insiders – have been rewarded with new, financially lucrative deals. currency has been under stress.
This past week has shown people country are prepared stand up are prepared insist things done differently. government, whichever party power, must heed cry people. Belize has turned corner will never same.
George Gonzalez Mission District San Francisco, having worked with Los Siete de La Raza United Prisoners’ Union 1970s.
Candy Gonzalez with Student Non–Violent Coordinating Committee 1960s with Drug Research Project San Francisco early 1970s. They are now nationalized Belize.
