By Horace Palacio
As Iran fires missiles at U.S. military bases and Israel continues its direct assault on Tehran, the world watches nervously. But while this conflict unfolds thousands of miles away, the implications for Belize are very real—and very urgent.
Government officials, now is not the time to wait and see. Now is the time to plan and act.
Let’s be honest: Belize imports almost all of its fuel. A spike in global oil prices, triggered by a full-scale Middle East war, would drive up gas, diesel, and electricity costs in weeks. That means everything from bus fares to groceries could increase. And it won’t just hit families—it’ll hit businesses, farmers, and tourism operators hard.
This is why I’m calling on policymakers, economic planners, and the Prime Minister himself: start crafting a national response strategy now.
First, Belize needs a fuel resilience plan. Secure supply contracts or negotiate regional buffer agreements that can cushion Belize against international price surges. Begin exploring alternative or emergency energy strategies immediately. Every gallon matters.
Second, we must protect our tourism industry. If the conflict escalates or triggers instability in air travel, Belize’s biggest economic engine could stall. Establish a rapid-response marketing and pricing strategy to keep Belize attractive, especially to U.S. travelers who may reconsider trips further abroad.
Third, an economic shock task force must be created immediately. This should include representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, Ministry of Economic Development, and key private sector players. Their job would be to monitor risk and deliver fast policy solutions for inflation, trade disruption, or market instability.
Fourth, now is the time to secure our food supply chains. A global war can delay or destroy shipping routes. Prices for staples could jump. Belize must double down on local food production—supporting backyard gardens, fast-growing crops, and agricultural resilience in rural and urban communities alike.
Finally, we must speak as a region. Belize should work with CARICOM and SICA to ensure the voices of small nations are heard in global diplomacy. Even if we are not in the blast zone, we will feel the impact. And we must prepare for it together.
We are in uncertain times. Global superpowers are on the verge of direct war. The Israel–Iran–U.S. triangle is volatile, and history tells us that when bombs fall abroad, waves ripple across oceans.
Our job as a country is not to panic—but to prepare.
The people of Belize are resilient. But resilience must be met with readiness. We cannot say we didn’t see this coming.
Let’s act now—not when it’s too late.
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