Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño

On Tuesday, September 17th, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño delivered his first State of the Nation address in the Capital City of Belmopan. The Prime Minister shared with Belizeans that the country's state is strong, and the gross domestic product has significantly increased, along with a robust tourism industry and a low unemployment rate. Among other important topics discussed, the highlight of his speech to many was the announcement of a break in income tax for wage earners making up to BZ$29,000 annually.

A two-day debate followed the March 8th national budget presentation by Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño. A special sitting of the House of Representatives was held on March 20th and 21st in the Capital City of Belmopan to debate the 2024-2025 budget, also known as the General Revenue and Appropriation Bill, proposed by the current government under the People's United Party (PUP). The budget prioritized job creation, economic stimulus, security, and significant education, health, and infrastructure improvements. The Opposition Leader under the United Democratic Party (UDP), Honorable Dr. Shyne Barrow, heavily criticized the proposal, labeling it as 'out of touch' and falling short of addressing critical national issues.

Following the municipal elections across the country on March 6th, a low voter turnout was observed, with few young or first-time voters reporting at the polls. Although the number of registered electorates increased in San Pedro Town, the turnout was slightly lower than in the 2021 Municipal Elections.

On Friday, March 8th, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño presented the 2024-2025 fiscal budget under the theme ‘Staying on Track’. The budget prioritizes job creation, economic stimulus, support for the producing sector, and expansion in access to education. During the budget presentation at the House of Representatives in the Capital City of Belmopan, the Prime Minister also mentioned plans to expand the coverage of the National Health Insurance Programme across the country. During his address, he also cited global factors as the cause of the high cost of living in the country.

Area Representative for Belize Rural South (BRS) (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker), Honourable Andre Perez, was granted a leave of absence from Cabinet and consequently from his Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation in August 2023 following allegations against him from a woman. An investigation was to occur before his return to Cabinet. Almost five months have passed, and the BRS representative remains out of Cabinet without a ministry. On Wednesday, January 17th, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño told the media that no decision has been made regarding Perez's return to Cabinet and his ministerial duties.

After days of negotiations over the terms of a commercial agreement between the Belize Sugar Cane Farmers Association (BSCFA) and the American Sugar Refinery (ASR)/Belize Sugar Industries (BSI), the two parties finally inked the new contract on Monday evening, January 8th. The negotiations occurred at the Yo Creek Agricultural Station near Orange Walk Town in northern Belize, where Prime Minister Honourable Dr. John Briceño acted as mediator.

A Belizean pilot, Jason Smith, was on the flight crew that brought down Belize JetBlue's inaugural non-stop flight on Wednesday, December 6th, from New York City's John Fitzgerald Kennedy International Airport. Smith, a native of Punta Gorda Town (PG) in the Toledo District, was honored to pilot the Airbus A320 that touched down at the Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) on Wednesday afternoon.

The People's United Party (PUP) town council slate in San Pedro Town hosted their endorsement convention on Saturday, December 1st, at the Honourable Louis Sylvestre Sporting Complex. Current San Pedro Town Council Members, Mayor Gualberto' Wally' Nuñez and councilors Dianeli Aranda, Ernesto Bardalez, Jose Castellanos, Marina Kay, Adaly Ayuso, and Johonnia Duarte are completing their first term in office and aspire to be re-elected in the municipal elections set for March 2024.