Photo: Current Belize monetary bills

by Kristen Ku

BELIZE CITY, Wed. July 12, 2023

On July 12, news began circulating that Belize’s currency notes would soon bear the faces of two of the nation’s foremost national leaders: the Father of the Nation, Right Hon. George Cadle Price, who played a key role in leading Belize to independence in 1981; and Hon. Philip Goldson, known for his unwavering stand as an advocate for Belizean sovereignty, particularly in the face of the Guatemalan claim.

Reports indicate that Prime Minister Briceño announced on a local morning talk show that the new designs are expected to be in circulation by October of this year, which created a stir, prompting many to question the feasibility of this timeline, given all that is involved in redesigning and issuing new currency.

However, when Amandala reached out to Mr. Kareem Michael, the Governor of the Central Bank of Belize, he clarified that October was not the launch date.

“I am not aware if the PM indicated a date. Nonetheless, October is not the launch date. There is considerable planning that must take place prior. The Central Bank will make an official announcement when the plan is finalized,” Michael said.

Michael suggested that while the process is in motion, it will definitely not reach completion this year.

This development has prompted speculation about the Prime Minister’s possible plan to transition Belize into a republic. The Prime Minister publicly suggested that he favored such a transition back in May, during a meeting with Oliver Laughland, the US Southern Bureau Chief of Guardian News & Media, just days before the coronation of King Charles III — signaling a potential shift away from Belize’s historic ties to the British monarchy.

The Guardian’s article was titled “‘Colonialism lingers: Belize shrugs off coronation amid calls for reparations”.

Briceño commented on the lack of enthusiasm among Belizeans for the King’s coronation, noting that, “you don’t see people taking out their Union Jack flags or anything.”

And when asked about the likelihood of Belize leaving the Commonwealth, Briceño responded, “I think the chance is quite high. It’s quite likely.”

Notably, Belize did not observe a public and bank holiday on May 8th, the day of the coronation. Additionally, instead of attending the coronation himself, Briceño dispatched the Governor General, H.E. Dame Froyla Tzalam, to represent the country.