The tiny Caribbean nation of Belize hasn’t been able to catch a break since being devastated by four hurricanes and major storms between 1998 and 2002. The cost of rebuilding following those storms, along with a certain degree of fiscal recklessness, resulted in a massive increase in Belize’s debt: private-sector obligations alone rose from $296 million in 2001 to $646 million in 2003 – an increase that has now led to imminent default.
Felix Salmon,
September 01, 2006