Carib Scope

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  • “Domestic Exports Have Been Declining for Years”

    “Domestic Exports Have Been Declining for Years”

    New trade data released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) reveals a deepening trade imbalance for the Central American nation through the first eight months of 2026, with imports continuing to climb while long-running declines in domestic exports accelerate.

    Between January and August this year, Belize’s total goods imports reached $2.207 billion, representing a $301.5 million increase compared to the same period in 2025. Two key categories accounted for much of this import growth: mineral fuels and lubricants, which jumped 50% year-over-year to hit $396.3 million, and machinery and transport equipment, which rose 19% to $540.4 million. Rising fuel costs and expanding infrastructure and industrial investment have pushed import spending sharply higher in 2026, according to the data.

    On the export side, the figures paint a far grimmer picture: total domestic exports fell 14% year-over-year to just $272.8 million, extending a downward trend that has stretched across multiple years. SIB statistician Tiffany Vasquez emphasized that the trajectory is unambiguous, noting that after a short-lived rebound in export volumes in 2022, Belize has returned to its consistent path of declining domestic export performance.

    Nearly all of Belize’s traditional core export sectors suffered double-digit declines over the eight-month period. Sugar exports, long a staple of the country’s trade portfolio, plummeted 31% to $65.1 million. Citrus exports fell even more sharply, dropping 59% to only $9.9 million, while red kidney bean exports declined 44% to $4.4 million.

    Regional and international export shifts also highlight the volatility of Belize’s trade position. Exports to the United Kingdom collapsed by 66% year-over-year, a drop of $59.3 million in total value, while shipments to other CARICOM (Caribbean Community) member states fell 24%. The report recorded growth in only a few key markets: exports to the United States rose 34% to $70.9 million, and shipments to the European Union increased 13% from 2025 levels.

    A small number of non-traditional export categories bucked the negative trend, with banana, marine product and cattle exports holding steady compared to last year. Cattle exports hit $49.2 million in the eight-month period, a figure that now includes previously uncounted informal cross-border shipments following an update to SIB’s counting methodology aligned with new international statistical standards. The addition of informal trade reveals just how large unregistered cross-border commerce has become: informal exports accounted for $43 million, or 16% of Belize’s total domestic exports, through August.

    The growing gap between import spending and export earnings has pushed Belize’s merchandise trade deficit sharply higher. For the first six months of 2026 alone, the deficit reached $1.2 billion, up from $974.3 million in the same period last year. The imbalance is so pronounced that for every one dollar Belize earns from export sales in 2026, it spends approximately eight dollars on goods imported from overseas partners.

  • Studies Advance for Proposed Barbuda River Port Relocation

    Studies Advance for Proposed Barbuda River Port Relocation

    The long-planned relocation of Barbuda’s River Port has reached a critical milestone, moving past an initial key phase after coastal researchers finalized their foundational study, with multiple additional technical evaluations now in progress across the proposed site. The Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority, the government body overseeing the infrastructure development initiative, has confirmed the new facility is earmarked for a six-acre stretch of coastline along Barbuda’s southern shore, positioned just east of the existing River Dock Peninsula.

    An in-depth coastal analysis carried out by Jamaica-based engineering consultancy Smith Warner International revealed that the proposed site naturally features deep water depths ranging between three and five meters. This natural geographic characteristic is a major win for the project, as it means large cargo vessels will be able to dock at the facility without requiring extensive, costly, and environmentally disruptive dredging work that would have been needed at the current port location.

    Currently, a full feasibility study, which will evaluate the project’s financial viability, technical practicality, and long-term economic benefits, is on track to be finalized within a 14-day window. Parallel to this, geotechnical engineering teams are already on-site conducting surveys to map subsurface ground conditions, data that will be critical for designing stable infrastructure for the port. A comprehensive hydrological assessment, which will analyze how water flows and interacts with the proposed site, is also scheduled to kick off later this week.

    The mandatory Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), a key regulatory step to identify and mitigate potential harm to local coastal ecosystems, is currently 70 percent complete. Port authorities note that the remaining sections of the EIA cannot be finalized until results from the ongoing geotechnical, hydrological, and feasibility surveys are delivered.

    In a move to prioritize local stakeholder engagement, the Port Authority has committed to hosting a public town hall meeting directly on Barbuda before any construction work gets underway. The gathering will allow officials to present all collected survey data and project plans to local residents, business owners, and community leaders, and create space for the public to submit questions, concerns, and feedback that will be incorporated into final project planning.

    Once geotechnical survey results are received, work on detailed architectural and engineering design of the new port will get underway. Current project timelines target mobilization of construction crews and equipment to the site between December 2026 and January 2027, marking the official start of build-out for the new facility.

  • Unauthorized Access Forces Vital Stats Offline

    Unauthorized Access Forces Vital Stats Offline

    In a developing security incident announced on September 30, 2026, Belize’s Civil Registry Department and Vital Statistics Unit (VSU) have taken their core Civil Registry and Vital Statistics (CRVS) platform offline after discovering unauthorized access during a scheduled routine system maintenance check.

    The temporary shutdown was implemented as a proactive protective measure to give cybersecurity and technical teams time to conduct a full, deep-dive assessment of the system to identify the scope of the breach, any potential compromised data, and remaining security vulnerabilities. According to an official statement from the VSU, the entire security audit and system evaluation process is scheduled to take place over the weekend, with a targeted restoration date set for Monday, October 5, 2026. Full service restoration remains contingent on the successful completion of all mandatory security checks to confirm the system is safe and secure before reopening it to public use.

    While the CRVS system is offline, all public services that rely on access to the platform are currently unavailable. To minimize disruption for residents, government officials have noted that individuals seeking assistance with civil registration or vital statistics requests can still access in-person support. Members of the public may visit either the VSU’s main headquarters in Belize City or any local district office to receive guidance, information, and updates on their individual requests during the temporary shutdown.

    The Civil Registry Department has committed to providing timely follow-up updates to the public as new, verified information about the incident becomes available, ensuring transparency as the investigation and security review proceeds.

  • LIVE: ECCB Launch – Office of Financial Conduct

    LIVE: ECCB Launch – Office of Financial Conduct

    A new United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) assessment released ahead of the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) has delivered a stark warning: global greenhouse gas emissions are projected to reach 36.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2025, putting the world dangerously close to exceeding the 1.5°C warming limit outlined in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The 2026 Emissions Gap Report finds that even if all current nationally determined contributions (NDCs) are fully implemented, global temperatures are still on track to rise by 2.7°C by the end of the century. This trajectory would bring more frequent extreme weather events, widespread ecosystem collapse, food and water insecurity for billions of people, and irreversible damage to coastal communities from sea-level rise. UNEP Executive Director, Andrea Meza, emphasized that the gap between pledged action and what is scientifically required to stay below 1.5°C remains alarmingly wide. “What we are seeing right now is a failure of political will from the world’s largest emitters,” Meza said in a press briefing accompanying the report. China, the United States, India, and the European Union collectively account for nearly 65% of global annual emissions, and the report notes that these major economies have slowed their pace of decarbonization since COP30 in 2025, with many rolling back climate policies in response to lobbying from fossil fuel industries. The report does highlight some bright spots, however: renewable energy capacity grew by 12% globally in 2025, driven by plummeting costs for solar and wind power, and 35 countries have now implemented carbon pricing mechanisms that cover more than 20% of their domestic emissions. Small island developing states, which contribute less than 1% of cumulative historical emissions but are among the most vulnerable to climate change, have once again called on wealthy nations to fulfill their $100 billion annual climate finance pledge, which has yet to be fully met 10 years after it was promised. Ahead of COP31, which will be hosted in Brazil, negotiators are expected to focus on new global targets for cutting methane emissions from agriculture and fossil fuel extraction, as well as establishing a new loss and damage fund to support vulnerable countries coping with climate disasters. Climate scientists stress that deep, rapid cuts in emissions this decade are critical to avoiding the worst impacts of climate change, and the Emissions Gap Report makes clear that current action is nowhere near enough. “We still have the tools to avoid the worst outcomes, but we have less than three years left to make the dramatic cuts needed to stay on track for 1.5°C,” said the report’s lead author, Dr. Fabian Romero of the International Institute for Environment and Development. “Delay is not an option if we want to protect current and future generations from the worst effects of a warming planet.”

  • Belize’s Abortion Debate Is Back. Why?

    Belize’s Abortion Debate Is Back. Why?

    Long-simmering tensions over Belize’s restrictive abortion legislation have bubbled to the surface once again, as one of the country’s leading reproductive health advocacy groups has stepped up its campaign to overhaul existing laws and expand access to safe, legal care. The Belize Family Life Association (BFLA), a long-time proponent of reproductive rights reform, is framing its renewed push around a critical public health argument that experts say cannot be ignored: unsafe and unregulated abortion remains one of the top causes of preventable hospitalizations across the nation’s medical system.

    Joan Burke, BFLA’s executive director, emphasized that the organization is pushing to reframe abortion from a criminal offense to what it actually is: a pressing public health and reproductive justice issue. “Abortion, whether induced or spontaneous, continue to be among the leading cause of hospitalization in our medical facilities here in Belize,” Burke explained in a recent statement outlining the group’s policy demands. The organization’s core goal is not a full overhaul of the legal system, but targeted changes to remove barriers that currently block access to life-saving reproductive healthcare for Belizean women.

    The current legal framework, outlined in Belize’s Criminal Code, classifies any intentional, unlawful termination of pregnancy as a felony carrying a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment. Narrow exceptions already exist: the law permits medical termination when a fetus faces a substantial risk of severe physical or mental impairment that would result in lifelong serious disability, but advocates say these carve-outs are too limited and poorly implemented to address widespread public health needs.

    But BFLA’s push for reform faces fierce, well-organized opposition from religious and pro-life groups that argue the existing legal balance already protects both pregnant people and unborn children. Church Senator Louis Wade, a prominent voice in the anti-reform camp, said the status quo already strikes the right compromise between medical necessity and protections for fetal life. “I believe that the current laws that we have are adequate,” Wade said. “They make a consideration for the medical issues that are associated with difficult pregnancies, and they also safeguard healthy babies.” Wade reaffirmed the institutional church’s long-held position that all human life should be protected both before and after birth, rejecting any expansion of legal abortion access.

    Pro-life organizations across the country have echoed that opposition, pairing their rejection of reform with on-the-ground support for women facing unplanned or high-risk pregnancies. Seed of Life, a prominent Belizean pro-life group, focuses on providing wrap-around support to vulnerable women who may feel pressured to seek abortion due to economic instability or personal trauma. Lisbeth Ayuso, the organization’s founder, explained that the group offers free counseling, clothing, and other material necessities to women and families carrying difficult pregnancies to term, with support continuing even after childbirth.

    “Counseling is very important,” Ayuso said. “A lot of these women come from situations that cause trauma in their lives, and so you find that they are unable to survive in life the way normal folk would or those that have support can.” Like other opponents of expanded abortion access, Seed of Life does not promote abortion, instead guiding women to continue their pregnancies while meeting their basic practical and emotional needs. The renewed debate has once again split the nation along deeply held moral and public health lines, with no clear legislative compromise expected in the near term as both sides dig in on their positions.

  • Tarish United Sports Club mourns ‘visionary sportsman’ Egbert ‘Tom’ Lambert

    Tarish United Sports Club mourns ‘visionary sportsman’ Egbert ‘Tom’ Lambert

    The Tarish United Sports Club has announced the recent passing of beloved community figure and football trailblazer Egbert ‘Tom’ Lambert, a resident of Gutter Village who dedicated decades of his life to expanding access to youth football in the local area.

    In an official statement released by the club, president James Jervier paid heartfelt tribute to Lambert, remembering him not just as a core member of the Tarish Pit community but as a forward-thinking sportsman who deeply believed in football’s unique ability to bridge divides and bring people together.

    “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that the Tarish Pit United Sports Club extends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Mr. Egbert Lambert,” Jervier said.

    Lambert’s most enduring contribution to local sports is the founding of the Small Goal League, an initiative that created structured, accessible opportunities for young football lovers to gather, nurture their passion for the game, showcase their emerging talents, and build lasting friendships off the pitch. According to Jervier, Lambert’s vision for the league transformed youth sports access in the region, giving countless young people an outlet to grow through the sport they loved.

    Jervier emphasized that Lambert’s relentless passion, unwavering dedication, and far-reaching contributions to the Tarish Pit community have left an indelible mark that will long outlast his passing. While the club and broader local sports community are grieving the loss of one of their most beloved figures, Jervier noted that Lambert’s legacy will live on through every young player whose life he touched, and through the thriving sporting community he helped build.

    “Words cannot fully express the sadness we feel at this time, but we take comfort in knowing that his legacy will continue through the lives he touched and the sporting community here,” Jervier added.

    In closing, Jervier reaffirmed the club’s full support for Lambert’s family and friends, noting that the entire Tarish United Sports Club stands alongside them in mourning during this difficult period. “May the memories of Tom, his kindness, passion, laughter, and dedication bring comfort and strength to all who knew him and loved him,” he said.

  • Dominica’s ECAAM, St. Maarten education foundation launch two-year special education project

    Dominica’s ECAAM, St. Maarten education foundation launch two-year special education project

    In a collaborative push to transform how students with special educational needs (SEN) are supported across St. Maarten’s education system, two regional education organizations have joined forces to launch a groundbreaking two-year pilot initiative.

    Dominica-based Education, Consulting, Academic Advising and Mentoring (ECAAM) and St. Maarten’s SKOS Catholic Education Foundation officially introduced Project INSPIRE at a recent media event held in St. Maarten, according to an official press release from ECAAM.

    The acronym INSPIRE stands for Inspiring, Nurturing, Support, for Professional, and Responsive, Inclusive Education, reflecting the program’s core mission: to equip educators with the tools they need to better serve SEN students, refine evidence-based teaching practices, and build more welcoming, inclusive learning communities across participating schools.

    Gianne Wilson-De Weever, Curriculum Director at the SKOS Training Center, emphasized that the initiative centers on two key goals: improving long-term academic and social outcomes for SEN students, and giving educators hands-on, practical resources to address the diverse learning profiles they encounter in everyday classrooms.

    Unlike many traditional special education programs that focus solely on in-class instruction, Project INSPIRE takes a holistic, community-wide approach, explained Ivy Benjamin, ECAAM facilitator for the initiative. The program will kick off with targeted professional development training for both teachers and school leaders, who will then have opportunities to test and refine new techniques in their own classrooms. Beyond school walls, the initiative will also host educational workshops for parents and run public awareness campaigns designed to build broader public understanding of disability and foster more inclusive communities for people living with disabilities.

    Benjamin added that the pilot will prioritize three core areas: evidence-based instruction, personalized student assessment, and wraparound student support, all delivered through ongoing professional development, cross-regional collaboration, and proven teaching methodologies.

    Beverly LeBlanc, lead consultant for ECAAM, shared that educators from six St. Maarten schools will take part in the pilot: Sister Regina Primary School, St. Dominic Primary School, St. Dominic High School, St. Joseph Catholic School of Education, Sister Borgia Elementary School, and St. Maarten Seventh Day Adventist School. Through the program, participating teachers will build skills to identify individual student needs, adapt instructional methods to match those needs, and create classroom environments where all students can participate and thrive.

    The initiative has received critical financial backing from a coalition of local St. Maarten businesses, including Winair, Winward Island Bank, Artmenia Events Planning, Accessible Ventures, and The Hope-Ros Family.

    Following the official launch, Lilia Aventurin-Hodge, Executive Director of the SKOS Catholic Education Foundation, told local media outlet Richie Ferrol Media Services that Project INSPIRE arrives at a critical moment for expanding equitable educational opportunities for students with disabilities across the island. She praised LeBlanc’s deep commitment and subject-matter expertise, calling the launch a strong, positive starting point for the two-year pilot. Aventurin-Hodge also highlighted the initiative’s broader societal goal: helping children with special needs develop the skills they need to grow into fully integrated, functional members of their communities.

    The partnership between ECAAM and the SKOS Catholic Education Foundation will run for the full two-year duration of the pilot. For context, the SKOS Catholic Education Foundation is a leading Catholic education organization that operates a network of primary and secondary schools across St. Maarten. Catholic education on the island traces its roots back to 1890, when the first Dominican Sisters arrived to serve the community. Today, SKOS continues to prioritize the holistic development of students, supporting their academic, spiritual, social, and emotional growth. The organization’s school network works proactively to address individual student needs, while encouraging innovation, ongoing teacher professional development, and cross-sector partnerships that strengthen local education. In addition to its traditional school offerings, SKOS already supports targeted programs focused on inclusive education, student well-being, and specialized learning needs, including the well-established Mustard Seed Special Needs Program.

  • Belizean Men Grow More Pessimistic About Money

    Belizean Men Grow More Pessimistic About Money

    Belize’s consumer sentiment has stayed mired in pessimistic territory for 13 consecutive months, according to the latest data from the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB), with men and residents of the country’s northern districts reporting the sharpest drops in financial confidence this August.

    The SIB’s Consumer Confidence Index (CCI), a key metric measuring household attitudes toward personal finances and economic conditions, edged down marginally from 42.6 in July to 42.4 in August. Any reading below 50 on the index signals overall consumer pessimism, a trend that typically correlates with reduced discretionary spending and increased household savings.

    Breaking down the latest results, Belizean consumers rated their current financial situation slightly worse than they did in July, and their outlook for economic conditions over the coming 12 months also softened. Even so, the 12-month outlook measure sits at 51.6, the only component of the index that remains above the 50 pessimism threshold.

    Regional variations in confidence reveal a stark divide across the country. The northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk recorded the most dramatic declines: Corozal’s CCI plummeted from 42.6 to 35.9, while Orange Walk fell from 40.6 to 33.1 — the lowest confidence reading of any district in Belize.

    SIB statistician Juan Blanco noted that the notable declines in these two northern districts point to widespread growing pessimism among their resident populations.

    In contrast, the southern district of Stann Creek bucked the national downward trend, with its CCI climbing from 38.4 to 44.5, marking the largest confidence improvement across the entire country. Blanco explained that residents of Stann Creek have become noticeably less pessimistic about both current national economic conditions and their own personal household finances.

    The most surprising divide in the data falls along gender lines: male and female consumer confidence moved in completely opposite directions this August. Confidence among male consumers dropped by 7.5%, with every measured component of the CCI declining for this group. Blanco confirmed that male consumers in Belize now report higher overall levels of pessimism about their financial prospects. Meanwhile, confidence among female consumers rose by 5.5% over the same period.

    Beyond gender and regional divides, the data also breaks down confidence by age and ethnicity. Confidence levels fell most sharply among Belizeans aged 55 and older, while among ethnic groups, respondents identifying as Maya recorded the steepest drop in consumer confidence.

    Alongside the confidence figures, the SIB also released updated inflation data showing that average household prices have risen by 2.9% across Belize since the start of 2026. With the latest August reading pushing the national CCI down further, the index has now failed to break above the 50 confidence threshold for 13 straight months, marking more than a full year of sustained consumer pessimism across the country.

  • Funky Kingston Brings a Taste of Jamaica to Belize City

    Funky Kingston Brings a Taste of Jamaica to Belize City

    After 14 months of careful construction, a vibrant new dining and leisure destination has opened its doors along Belize’s Philip Goldson Highway, bringing a fusion of Jamaican culture and Belizean hospitality to locals and visitors alike. Named Funky Kingston, the restaurant and bar at Mile 4 of the highway launched its grand opening this week, drawing a large crowd of excited patrons to its space that boasts both indoor and outdoor seating, plus unobstructed scenic views of the Caribbean Sea.

    More than just a standalone eatery, Funky Kingston is integrated into the larger regional hospitality venture that already includes two private island getaways: Isabella Caye and Sandbar Caye. The new venue serves as a convenient, welcoming pre-departure stop for guests heading out to the private islands, while also opening its doors to the general public looking for a memorable coastal dining experience.

    The venue’s menu is designed to celebrate the best of Caribbean culinary traditions, blending iconic Jamaican and beloved Belizean flavors into one accessible offering. Standout dishes on the menu include flaky Jamaican patties, smoky jerk chicken, slow-cooked oxtail stew, and the classic Belizean coconut fish dish hudut. To complement the food, the bar crafts a full lineup of creative Caribbean-inspired cocktails, with reggae music playing throughout the space to set an authentic, laid-back island mood.

    For Rob Begrand, the venture’s director, the opening represented a deeply emotional milestone after more than a year of construction work. “I wear my heart on my sleeve and we have been at hard construction for 14 months. So, to actually sit at the bar, enjoy a nice rum and coke, see the people enjoying food, it actually put a tear in my eye,” Begrand shared in an interview at the opening event.

    Early patron reviews of the new venue have been overwhelmingly positive. Deon Leslie, one of the first guests to visit during opening week, highlighted the relaxed coastal setting, noting “The ambience, the music, anything by the sea we love.” Fellow visitor Karen Vernon echoed that praise, saying “I like the atmosphere from the sea. The music, the vibe is very good.”

    Beyond its culinary and experiential offerings, Funky Kingston has prioritized supporting the local Belizean economy and keeping its offerings accessible to all income levels. Begrand confirmed that the business sources ingredients and supplies from local producers wherever possible, and has worked to keep menu prices affordable. “We have been conscious of our dollars. We want to be conscious of your dollars too. We don’t want to price ourselves out,” he explained.

  • SIB Report: Belize Makes Less and Taxes More

    SIB Report: Belize Makes Less and Taxes More

    New data released by the Statistical Institute of Belize (SIB) has revealed a marked slowdown in the Central American nation’s economic expansion during the second quarter of 2026, with output growth falling to less than half of the full-year rate recorded in 2025. Between April and June, Belize’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 1.4% year-on-year to hit $1.388 billion, down significantly from the 2.9% full-year growth the country posted in 2025, when annual GDP reached $5.345 billion.

    According to SIB Statistician II Christopher Hulse, the bulk of this modest growth was driven by a narrow set of service and public sector industries. “We can see that the largest drivers were wholesale and retail trade, taxes, public administration and other service activities,” Hulse explained. Tax-related activity alone outpaced overall GDP growth, climbing 6.4% over the quarter.

    However, the country’s core production and construction sectors moved in the opposite direction, posting notable contractions that dragged down overall economic performance. The primary sector, which encompasses agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining, shrank by 6.1% year-on-year, equal to a $7.6 million reduction in output. The secondary sector, which covers manufacturing, construction and industrial activity, fell by an even sharper 6.4%, a $13.6 million drop.

    Hulse confirmed that agriculture, manufacturing and construction logged the largest contraction of any segment during the three-month period. Manufacturing output fell by 9.9%, while construction activity declined by 4.7% compared to the second quarter of 2025.

    Within agriculture, citrus production suffered the most dramatic decline: output plummeted by more than 63% year-on-year, falling from 10,400 tonnes in Q2 2025 to just 3,800 tonnes in the same period this year. Banana output also slipped, dropping from 28,500 tonnes to 24,200 tonnes over the same timeframe.

    Against these declines, a handful of agricultural and tourism-related segments posted strong gains that helped soften the overall slowdown. Sugarcane production climbed to 920,600 tonnes in the second quarter of 2026, marking the highest Q2 output the country has recorded since 2021. Marine exports jumped by 33.6% overall, with shrimp exports more than doubling compared to last year.

    In the tourism sector, which is a major pillar of Belize’s economy, overnight tourist arrivals surged by nearly 29% year-on-year, rising from 150,900 to 194,600 visitors. Domestic electricity output also grew by 8.6%, reflecting mild gains in overall domestic consumption. Only cruise ship arrivals saw a small pullback, dipping slightly to 131,400 arrivals over the quarter.