By Zoila Palma: For years, Belizeans have crossed into the Western Free Zone in search of cheaper fuel. Now, that search for savings is extending beyond the Free Zone, with motorists increasingly heading into Melchor de Mencos to fill their tanks as they try to stretch every dollar.
At the western border, Guatemalan fuel peddlers can be seen selling gasoline by the gallon directly to Belizean drivers, often filling vehicles on the spot.
The cross-border trade has become a daily sight, reflecting the financial pressure many motorists say they face as fuel costs continue to weigh on household budgets.
Today, regular gasoline in Melchor de Mencos is selling for Q34.99 per gallon, equivalent to approximately BZ$9.21. The price difference has made the short trip across the border an attractive option for some drivers looking to reduce transportation costs.
The growing number of Belizeans seeking fuel across the border highlights the cost-of-living pressures affecting families and workers.
What was once largely associated with the Western Free Zone is now becoming a common scene in Melchor de Mencos, where motorists are searching for any opportunity to make their money go further.
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