On November 13, 2026, the streets of Belmopan saw crowds of struggling residents gather for the widely attended “Enough is Enough Protest,” where local media caught up with Opposition Leader Tracy Panton to discuss the government’s long-awaited proposed cost-of-living relief package that thousands of cash-strapped Belizean families have been anxiously anticipating. For millions of households across the small Central American nation, monthly paychecks no longer stretch far enough to cover basic essentials from grocery runs to rent, utility bills and transit fares, leaving many on the brink of financial ruin. Panton emphasized that the proposed relief measures cannot afford to fall short, as communities are in a state of urgent, widespread desperation. She cited existing gaps in current social support programs, noting that the Albert constituency’s monthly grocery bag allocation of BZ$5,000 only covers 50 families per month, given that even the most basic essential grocery bundle now costs roughly BZ$100 per household. While she welcomed the government’s announcement that the grocery bag program budget will double, alongside new planned housing repair and rental assistance support, Panton stressed that critical gaps in the proposed relief framework still need to be addressed to deliver meaningful, long-term savings for residents. She highlighted that unaddressed cost burdens for electricity, public transportation and fuel continue to eat away at household budgets, and called for immediate reform of the country’s restrictive vegetable import licensing system, which currently grants a single monopoly provider exclusive rights to bring in produce from neighboring Mexico. Opening that market to fair competition, she argued, would drive down sky-high vegetable prices and make fresh food accessible for low-income families that currently cannot afford fresh produce. The segment aired as part of the outlet’s evening television newscast, with Kriol-language remarks from participants transcribed using a standardized, community-approved spelling system to preserve accuracy for all viewers.