Government Contemplates Change in Illicit Aircraft Sale Policy After Recent Controversy

The government may be moving away from the sale of illicit aircraft used in narco-trafficking.  The contemplation comes after they sold an aircraft that was shot down in Venezuela six days after its Belizean registration expired. Last week, a plane that was confiscated off the Coastal Highway in 2020 with seventy bales of cocaine was destroyed by Venezuelan authorities. The aircraft had departed Belize on January 14 after being sold to persons in Cozumel, Mexico, and was believed to be carrying weapons to South America. According to Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, an investigation has since been launched to investigate how the aircraft ended up back in the narco-trade. 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “My understanding is again there is an ongoing investigation into that matter. It’s Civil Aviation leading that effort along with the Belize Police Department but that investigation is still ongoing.”

Yesterday, the opposition issued a release calling for a commission of inquiry into the jet’s sale.