Tracy Panton slams the Briceno Administration

Posted: Saturday, April 26, 2025. 6:49 am CST.

By Horace Palacio: Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar Panton issued a strong and urgent message to Belizeans this week, calling for responsible public discourse and greater attention to pressing national concerns.

In her statement, Panton stressed that while free speech is a fundamental right, it must be exercised with caution and responsibility. She warned that fueling public hysteria serves no useful purpose and could have dangerous consequences. “You can’t shout fire in a crowded room,” she said, emphasizing that reckless behavior risks serious harm.

Panton criticized certain media outlets for promoting sensationalism, noting that a constant focus on negativity only worsens the national mood. “If it bleeds, it leads,” she said, adding that the impact of destructive commentary can be devastating to individuals and society at large.

At the same time, Panton accused the current government of obstinacy and arrogance, pointing to numerous areas where she said the administration has failed to provide critical updates. Among her concerns:

No timeline for the presentation of the National Budget.
No update on national priorities for the new financial year.
No report on the hijacking of a local air carrier that endangered 14 passengers.
No transparency about large post-election pay raises for Cabinet Secretaries and CEOs.
No plan for addressing environmental concerns regarding the Cayo Rosario Development Project.
No resolution for teachers’ increments and healthcare workers’ pension requests at KHMHA.
No recovery strategy for the $250 million lost Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grant.
No measures to mitigate the rising cost of living or to stabilize business competitiveness amid U.S. tariff hikes.
No clarity on reducing fuel prices despite a drop in global crude oil prices.

Panton urged Belizeans to “stay awake” and redirect their energy toward demanding accountability and solutions for the real challenges facing the nation. “Be careful what seeds you sow,” she cautioned, warning of the consequences of driving division and distraction while critical national issues remain unresolved.

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