Concerns Rise Over Cartel Presence in Belize

The recent murders of three men from the Corozal District have sparked concerns among the public about cartel elements operating in Belize. In June 2023, the government allocated an additional one million dollars to the Belize Police Department, to assist with its fight against narco-activities in northern Belize. However, since then, there have been multiple incidents that were believed to be connected or carried out by narco-elements. The situation has led many to question whether the department needs more taxpayers’ dollars to fight the growing influence of narcos. This morning, the Commissioner of Police Chester Williams was asked to weigh in on the situation and stated that police have been successful in warding off the narco-elements in northern Belize.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “The government has spent over a million dollars, not a million. A million was in the first instance. Since then we have gone back to the Prime Minister and made requests of additional funds and those were also approved. As I’ve said before, the government have showed their commitment in making sure that we’re able to police the Northern Corridor as well as the Northern border areas and so the monies have been spent in that area looking at resources for the team to operate effectively. We have purchased ammunition, we have purchased  firearms, we have purchased vehicles, drones, body armour, name it we have done so with a view to make sure that the officers who work along the northern border are equipped and safe. And yes, one can say that we still see incidents now and then and certainly the border area is extremely huge and very porous and so there are going to be incidents now and then but the truth be told. We have seen a tremendous reduction in those incidents. I think that the team, the police and the BDF working along the Northern Irregular Border area are doing an exemplary work. And the work that they are doing have yielded great success. And we have seen a significant reduction in the activities of cartels coming over into Belize.”

Last year, a poll showed that cartel-related crime was a new concern among the Belizean public.