U.D.P. Leader Weighs in On Reported B.D.F. Ration Shortage

Moses “Shyne” Barrow

Over the past week we have been following reports of Belize Defense Force soldiers complaining about low food rations. According to the complaints, items such as chicken, baking powder, sugar, and rice are no longer being provided to deployed troops. In response, the Belize Defense Force issued a release saying that it, “takes these allegations seriously and are committed to addressing the situation promptly and transparently”.  The release further explained that a soldier in the B.D.F.’s group chat leaked photos showing rations in short supply to create mischief. On Tuesday, Leader of the Opposition, Moses “Shyne” Barrow weighed in on the reports, urging Prime Minister John Briceño to restore the rations to what they were under the previous administration.

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition

“When it was first reported we discussed it.  We highlighted it an asked the Briceño government. To me it is just priority. You can’t have it always. Briceño says the economy has recovered completely and is growing at robust levels. They have surplus and everything. So if we have everything as a nation and government then how is it that our frontline public officers, such as the BDF, would be treated in this fashion? And, they are complaining about it. We initially balked at it and now the soldiers are complaining themselves. I appeal to the Prime Minister, restore the rations to what they were. This is not the promise of the PUP. You were to do better than the UDP, and there is no COVID to blame, there is no crisis to blame. With all the crisis the Prime Minister still gives a budget speech and talks about what an excellent job he is doing to grow the economy and all of their surpluses and all they have available to them. We have to know how to prioritize and priority for me as prime minister and my cabinet will always be our soldiers, security forces, nurses, doctors, teachers and our public officers, without whom we can’t properly manage this country.”