Minister Francis Fonseca Says Practical Measures Needed to Reduce Poverty in Belize

Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca said sovereignty must also be reflected in the daily lives of Belizeans. Fonseca acknowledged that many families continue to struggle with the cost of food, fuel, electricity and other basic necessities. He said national development must include practical measures to reduce poverty and provide greater support for vulnerable families in both rural and urban communities.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “The real daily burden of rising fuel costs, food inflation, and utility bills rest heavily on Belizean households. We must meet these practical challenges head on. Our government has implemented targeted social protection and cost of living relief, but we recognize that we must do more. We need to scale up multi-dimensional poverty alleviation programs to support vulnerable families in both rural communities and urban centers. Ensuring direct safety nets for food, health, education, and basic services. We must implement responsible, common sense interventions to lower the cost of basic food basket items, stabilize the cost of electricity, and manage international fuel volatility. We must also empower our local farmers and fisher folk to produce more food locally, cutting our dependence on expensive imports and directly lowering prices at local markets.”

Fonseca called for an expansion of poverty-alleviation programmes and stronger safety nets covering food, healthcare, education and basic services. He also highlighted the need to lower the cost of essential food items, stabilise electricity costs, manage the effects of international fuel prices and support local farmers and fisherfolk to increase domestic food production. Fonseca said Belize’s economic growth must be inclusive and must reach families in underserved communities.