Minister Musa Highlights Belize’s Fight Against Organized Crime

Belize’s Minister of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries, Kareem Musa, is currently in Lima, Peru, attending a high-level dialogue as part of the EL PACCTO 2.0 Programme’s Annual Meeting. The event, running from June 16 to the 19th is focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between the European Union, Latin America, and the Caribbean in the areas of justice and security to combat transnational organized crime.  The meeting, themed, “A Partnership that Protects: key milestone towards the EU-CELAC Summit,” has brought together ministers, attorney generals, judges, and other senior officials and their technical teams from these regions. The goal of the gathering is to evaluate current public policies designed to fight organized crime and discuss new criminal threats emerging across the regions.  During a panel discussion titled “Innovating in Public Policy, Transforming in Operational Action, New Responses to Organized Crime,” Minister Musa emphasized the dynamic nature of criminal activity. He noted that the threat to our societies from organized crime is constantly evolving and adapting …. With the constantly changing criminal dynamics, governments must be flexible to adopt new changes that are impactful while maintaining a link to a medium and long-term vision of justice and national security.  Minister Musa also highlighted several of Belize’s initiatives in this ongoing fight. These include a multisectoral approach to crime prevention and reduction, various mediation and rehabilitation programs, and crucial vocational and skills training opportunities for young people.  The high-level dialogue at the EL PACCTO 2.0 Programme aims to solidify alliances and address key challenges in judicial and security cooperation. The outcome of this meeting is expected to help shape the program’s future steps in preparation for the IV EU-CELAC Summit, scheduled for later in 2025.