This could be a death knell for Belize's Commercial Free Zone in Corozal, and today, the PUP sent out a release lamenting the same concern.

Pressing the panic button, the PUP statement says, quote, "The People's United Party views this announcement as a national crisis that requires immediate and strategic attention and is shocked by the fact that since the announcement, Government has been silent on this matter. The already moribund Commercial Free Zone (CFZ) at the Northern Border will be greatly and negatively affected by this move." End quote.

They go on to point out that this move will not only pressure the Free Zone that is already struggling, but this Mexican free zone will threaten Belize's economy, since Mexico's goods will look more attractive.

The PUP statement says, quote, "This will...certainly put a strain on Belizean businesses nationwide who are grappling with increased taxes…The President Elect also made a startling announcement that the cost of fuel in the Border States would be standardized with fuel prices in the USA." End quote.

The PUP is calling on the Government to immediately convene a committee of Belizean experts from both the public and private sectors to come up with innovative ideas on how to address these issues. They also want the Government, through the Ministry of Trade to agitate for an urgent meeting with their Mexican counterparts to look at ways to mitigate against the negative effects of the launching of these Mexican Free Zones.