And while the opposition leader has that political angle, we asked him to study the economic factors that are also driving smugglers to smuggle Belizean sugar across borders. But, he held to his political line - here's the exchange:
Jules Vasquez
"As you know, there is a practical difficulty with stopping smuggling because our borders are very porous. It is."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"How come it didn't happen under the Barrow UDP administration to this level where..."
Jules Vasquez
"Because it is driven by market forces, sir."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Okay."
Jules Vasquez
"Because sugar in Mexico is more expensive than ever because their industry is in a downfall is in a is in a has gone way down so their sugar production is low supply, creating high demand, high demand searches for a lower price.They find it in Belize."
Shyne Barrow, Leader of the Opposition
"Your argument may be more palatable under a different regime. We are living in a regime that encourages contraband trafficking. So for you to just say that, well, there's a greater demand in Mexico, so that's why this has happened. No, there's a government that encourages you: oh, yeah, do whatever you want to do."
