Crony capitalism is killing Belizean dreams

Published by [email protected] at May 11, 2025

Posted: Sunday, May 11, 2025. 7:21 am CST.

By Horace Palacio: There’s a quiet problem in Belize — one that doesn’t always make the headlines but affects every part of life here. It’s called crony capitalism. And if we don’t start talking about it more openly, it’s going to keep dragging this country down.

What is crony capitalism? It’s when the system favors a small group of people who are politically connected — friends, family, or donors of those in power — instead of giving everyone a fair chance. It means land gets handed over without transparency. It means government contracts end up in the same hands again and again. It means certain businesses get tax breaks and sweetheart deals while others fight just to stay afloat.

This isn’t about ambition or success. It’s about access. And in Belize, access too often depends on your last name, your political party, or your willingness to play the game.

And let’s be real — it’s hurting us.

Small businesses struggle because the playing field isn’t level. Bright young Belizeans lose faith in their future here and look elsewhere for opportunity. And talented people with fresh ideas are sidelined simply because they weren’t born into the right circle.

Meanwhile, the same names get richer, the same companies get the deals, and nothing really changes.

This system robs the country of its creativity, its competitiveness, and its confidence. Worse, it sends the message that if you want to get ahead in Belize, it’s not about what you know or how hard you work — it’s about who you know.

But Belizeans are waking up.

People are asking questions. They’re demanding more transparency in how land is given out and how contracts are awarded. They’re tired of seeing the same figures get rich off public funds while everyday families struggle with the cost of living, poor healthcare, and underfunded schools.

We don’t need more slogans. We need reforms.

We need open bidding processes for government contracts. We need land deals published in full. We need a crackdown on the revolving door between politics and business. And we need citizens who are willing to vote based on integrity, not handouts.

Belize has the brains, the energy, and the potential to thrive. But first, we’ve got to fix the rigged system that’s suffocating progress from the inside.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author, Horace Palacio, and do not necessarily reflect the views or editorial stance of Breaking Belize News.

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