Belize Gang Wars: The Root Of Murders

Belize has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, with gangs at the heart of this violence. The country's gangs are largely domestic and operate mainly in Belize City, engaging in local drug trafficking and robberies. However, the country's role in the international drug trade has attracted Central American gangs and Mexican drug trafficking groups. Belize's geographic position makes it an ideal passage for human trafficking throughout Central America, and the country is also a transit point for the regional arms trade.

Belize's gangs are often modelled on US street gangs, with members styling themselves after the Bloods and the Crips. The country's gang problem is exacerbated by a weak justice system, a corrupt and under-resourced police force, and political corruption.

Turf wars between the Bloods and Crips

The Crips and Bloods are two of the most infamous street gangs in the United States, with a rivalry that has lasted for decades. The turf wars between these two gangs have been fuelled by their differences in ideologies, symbols, and practices, as well as a lack of economic opportunities and systemic racism.

The Crips were formed in Los Angeles, California, in the late 1960s to combat police brutality and protect African-American youth from racism. They are known for their strict hierarchy and codes of conduct and often wear blue clothing and bandanas.

The Bloods, on the other hand, were formed in the early 1970s to protect themselves from other violent groups and engage in criminal activities. They emphasise "respect" and loyalty to fellow members and are identified by their red clothing and bandanas.

The turf wars between the Crips and Bloods have resulted in countless conflicts and even wars, not just between each other but also with smaller gangs that have sided with one or the other. These turf wars are fought over drug routes and territorial control, often leading to violence and death. The rivalry has spread across the US and has also been imported to other countries, including Belize.

The turf wars have resulted in a high number of deaths, with an estimated 15 lives lost per day across America and a total of 20,000 deaths by 2014. The violence has continued despite various attempts at peace treaties and truces, with gang members often feeling that they have no other choice but to join a gang for protection or social connection.

Gang violence in Belize City

Belize's geographical location and heavy jungle make it an attractive destination for drug smugglers, who use it as a gateway to Mexico. Belize's poorly resourced and often corrupt security forces struggle to control the country's coastline and borders with Guatemala and Mexico, and gang violence has increased as a result. Belize is now a transit point for the regional arms trade, with weak border controls making it easy to move weapons into neighbouring countries.

Gang transnationalism

In the context of Belize, gang transnationalism is evident in the presence of both domestic and transnational gangs. While domestic gangs drive most of the violence in Belize, transnational gangs have also established a presence. Belize's geographical position makes it an attractive transit point for drug and arms trafficking, with Mexican and Central American gangs taking advantage of its borders with Mexico and Guatemala.

To combat gang transnationalism, the FBI has implemented initiatives such as the Central American Law Enforcement Exchange (CALEE) and Transnational Anti-Gang Task Forces (TAGs). These programs aim to foster collaboration and intelligence sharing between law enforcement agencies across borders.

The growth of transnational gangs has been facilitated by factors such as immigration policies, social and economic conditions, and the deportation of gang members. In the case of MS-13, the gang's presence in Central American countries like El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala is partly due to the deportation of its members from the United States. These deported gang members bring the street-gang culture of the US with them and exploit the social and economic vulnerabilities of their home countries to recruit new members.

The response to gang transnationalism requires a coordinated regional effort, as demonstrated by the bilateral cooperation agreements signed by Central American governments to target drug trafficking and other illegal activities along their shared borders. Additionally, nongovernmental organizations have stepped in to offer programs for the prevention of youth violence and the rehabilitation of gang members.

Drug trafficking

Belize's geographical location makes it an attractive transit point for drug smugglers, particularly as a gateway to Mexico. The country's heavy jungle and Caribbean coastline have contributed to this, and its weak border controls make it easier for traffickers to move weapons into neighbouring countries.

Belize's domestic gangs, which operate mainly in Belize City, engage in local drug trafficking and robberies. However, the country's role in the international drug trade has grown, and Central American gangs and Mexican drug trafficking groups have also established a presence. The Zetas, a violent Mexican drug gang, are believed to be active along the border with Guatemala, and the Sinaloa Cartel has been linked to Belize.

Belize is a transit point for heroin and cocaine bound for the US and Mexico. Mexican cartels control these drug flows and hire locals to smuggle the drugs into Mexico and the US. Belizean gangs have also begun fighting over the movement of cocaine, leading to a series of drug-related homicides on land and at sea.

The country has a legal marijuana industry, but local gangs are still believed to control the illicit trade, distributing cannabis grown domestically and a more expensive variety smuggled from Mexico. Belize is also increasingly used as a transit point for the precursors used in synthetic drug production.

Belize's security forces are mostly underfunded and poorly trained, and both the police and justice system are widely regarded as corrupt and inefficient. Low public confidence in these institutions means that crimes often go unreported and perpetrators unpunished.

Gun trafficking

Belize's geographical location makes it an ideal gateway for drug trafficking and a transit point for the regional arms trade. The country's weak border controls, rugged geography, and coastline make it attractive to drug smugglers and traffickers. Traffickers exploit these conditions to move weapons into neighbouring countries like Guatemala, Mexico, and Honduras.

Belize's security forces are small and ill-equipped, lacking basic hardware such as helicopters and a radar system to track unauthorised flights. The police force is also understaffed, under-resourced, and poorly trained, making it difficult to effectively monitor the borders and combat the illegal arms trade.

The local demand for guns in Belize exists, but the market is primarily driven by foreign demand. The country's gun license laws are strict and difficult to navigate, with an extensive background check and a waiting period of up to six months. The maximum calibre allowed is 9mm, and anything above is deemed a prohibited firearm.

Belize's role in the international arms trade is as a transit point, especially for weapons destined for Mexico. Traffickers take advantage of the country's weak border controls and law enforcement presence to smuggle weapons from the US into Mexico, avoiding the stricter measures along the US-Mexico border. While the participation of Belizean groups in the international arms trade appears limited, domestic actors have been implicated in smuggling arms into Mexico.

Corruption within the police and military has also facilitated the illicit arms trade, with cases of military personnel selling weapons to criminals with gang affiliations. The easy access to arms has contributed to the high percentage of firearm-inflicted homicides in the country.

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