2005 Belize unrest
On January 20 2005, unrest over the Belizian goverment's new taxes boiled over as people burn the government offices and union workers went on strike, closing ports and shutting down water services. As government ministers were walking towards the government building, the demonstrators threw rocks and bottles at the ministers causing the police and military had to get involved to subdue the demonstrators,
On January 13, 2005 the government of Said Musa announced its budget for 2005-2006. The budget included major tax increased on a variety of businesses and commodities, including a 11% increase in the real estate sales tax, a 5% tax increase for financial institutions, an 8% tax increase on tobacco, and a 100% tax increase on rum. Although the government claims that these tax increases are comparable to increases instituted in 1998 under the previous government of the United Democratic Party (UDP), these taxes, on top of years of popular frustration at alleged finicial mismanagement and corruption by the People's United Party (PUP) sparked protests at the National Assembly building on January 15, including confrontations between demonstrators and police. Demonstrations continued through the following week.
On January 20, the business community and labor unions called for a two-day nationwide strike. As employees did not report to work, water service for much of Belize has been turned off. On January 21, local news reported reports of scattered demostrations in the capital city of Belmopan, including some burning of government buildings and roadblocks by protestors. The government has reportedly installed cameras on the exterior of some buildings where protestors are expected to congregate, and government buildings have been pre-emptively barricated off. A major demonstration is planned by the opposition for January 21 in Belmopan; the ruling PUP has also planned a counter-demonstration.
This is only the third time that this kind of unrest hits Belize. The first time in the '50s and the second time during the '80s when when there was a proposal drafted to give part of the country to Guatemala.
External Links
- UK Travel Advisory
- PM calls for calm while Barrow flips out, Belize Times, 19 January 2005. (pro-government paper)
- Unions flex muscles in protest march, News 5 Belize, 20 January 2005.
- Belize City Shutdown!, 7 News Belize, 20 January 2005.
- Only in Belize! - personal blog by a resident of Belmopan, with pictures.