By Brianna Bennett
Copyright greaterbelize
Barbadian Gets Indefinite Stay as Belize Implements CARICOM Pact
History was made today as Belize welcomed its first recipient of “Indefinite Stay” under the new CARICOM Free Movement of Persons Agreement. The first national from Barbados has now been granted the stamp, allowing citizens of partner countries to live and work freely in Belize. A move aimed at building a stronger Belize and strengthening ties across the Caribbean. But not everyone is celebrating. At the UDP press conference today, opposition senator Patrick Faber voiced concerns, saying the general public, business owners, and even churches are largely unaware of what this agreement truly means. He warns that taking on these new responsibilities without a clear plan or proper public awareness could worsen the country’s existing challenges.
Patrick Faber, Lead UDP Senator
“What is going to happen should people from these other countries, and it’s not only the four that are now signed on. Because we have long welcomed our neighbors, our regional brothers and sisters through the regular mechanisms that CARICOM affords us. But when you cannot, and I listen to my colleague, Senator Pitts, talk about the failing healthcare system, I listened to my colleague Honorable Haylock, speak about gang violence. I listened to my fellow senator, Gabriel, speak about the situation in Caye Caulker, and all of these things tell you that our country cannot handle the issues that we are having among our own citizenry in this country, but we are going to take on more, without a plan.”
