Cartel Presence In Belize: Understanding The Threat

Belize has become a major transit country for drugs coming from South America to North America. Its porous borders, sparse population, and location along the Central American isthmus make it an ideal transshipment point for drug cartels. While the country has been spared the brutal cartel violence seen in Mexico and Guatemala, drug-fuelled gang killings are on the rise in Belize City. Local gangs work for international traffickers, providing logistics for drug planes landing in Belize or making wet drops off its coast. The gangs are paid in drugs and weapons, which they then sell on the streets of Belize. Belize has responded to the drug problem by adopting a hardline, militaristic approach, with support from the US, Canada, and the UK. However, some critics argue that this approach is flawed and that alternative strategies, such as drug legalization and investment in social programs, may be more effective in tackling the drug trade in Belize.

Belize's judiciary in crisis

Belize's judiciary is facing a crisis due to the presence of a high number of foreign judges and a lack of local representation, with only one Belizean judge serving on the bench. This issue has sparked concerns about the country's ability to effectively address the growing influence of drug cartels and the increasing infiltration of cartel operatives within its borders.

Belize has a long history of drug trafficking due to its strategic location, with its borders, coastline, and uninhabited islands making it an ideal entry point for smugglers. The country shares borders with Mexico and Guatemala, which are both affected by drug-related violence, and has access to the Gulf and the Caribbean, making it a significant transshipment point for drugs, particularly cocaine, heading to the U.S. market.

The country's small population, sparse population density, and limited resources make it challenging to combat the powerful and well-organized drug cartels effectively. Despite assistance from the U.S. and other allies, Belize struggles to counter the drug trade and the associated corruption and violence. The Belizean authorities have been accused of turning a blind eye or denying the severity of the situation, even as cartel operatives establish a strong presence and brazenly operate within the country.

The infiltration of cartels, such as the Sinaloa cartel, Jalisco's Nueva Generacion, and the Caborca Cartel, has led to an increase in drug-fueled gang killings, particularly in Belize City. The country's intelligence teams face challenges in maintaining confidentiality and effective collaboration with military forces, hindering their ability to take decisive action against cartel activities.

The Belizean government has recognized the need to fortify its borders and intensify efforts to combat the cartels' influence. However, the question remains whether the authorities are truly grasping the scale of the infiltration and taking the necessary steps to protect the country's borders and citizens. The judiciary crisis, with its lack of local representation, further complicates the country's ability to address these pressing issues effectively.

Drug trafficking

Belize's strategic location, with its long Caribbean coastline, hundreds of uninhabited islands, and easy access to the Gulf and several Caribbean countries, makes it an ideal entry point for smugglers. The country's sparsely populated geography, with large stretches of unpopulated jungle and coastline, makes it difficult to monitor and conduct interdictions.

Belize is bordered by countries where the drug trade is controlled by well-organized and violent drug cartels. The country's small population and limited resources make it difficult to fight these cartels. In recent years, Mexican cartels have dominated the drug trade in the region, but Mexico's brutal drug war has pushed some of the drug trade into smaller, weaker nations like Belize.

Belize has become a major transshipment point for cocaine and precursor chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs. The country's porous borders and lack of radar and reliable communication systems make it difficult to monitor drug trafficking activities. While Belize has not experienced the same level of brutal cartel violence as neighbouring countries such as Mexico and Guatemala, drug-fuelled gang killings are on the rise in Belize City.

Belize has taken steps to combat drug trafficking, such as acquiring aircraft to aid in drug interdiction and strengthening its military and police forces with the help of allies like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. However, the country continues to face challenges due to corruption, limited resources, and deficiencies in intelligence gathering and analysis.

In addition to external support, Belize has implemented initiatives such as the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program, which aims to establish positive relationships between law enforcement and youth populations. Despite these efforts, concerns remain about the extent of cartel infiltration in Belize and the ability of the country's authorities to address the issue effectively.

Immigration and human trafficking

Belize's location close to North America and its relatively open borders have made it a destination for illegal immigrants, particularly those seeking to reach the USA and Canada. The country has also become a waypoint for human traffickers.

In 2024, Belize remained ranked Tier 2 on the US Department of State's Trafficking in Persons Report. While the country has made some progress in tackling human trafficking, the report notes that the government did not meet minimum standards in several areas. For example, the government did not adequately address official complicity in trafficking crimes, nor did it adequately oversee labour recruitment or investigate allegations of trafficking. There were also concerns about the identification of victims, with authorities failing to consistently screen migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Corruption and official complicity in trafficking crimes are significant issues in Belize, particularly among lower-level officials. There have been reports of police officers taking bribes to ignore trafficking, fail to report perpetrators, and fail to identify victims. In addition, illegal brothels have moved from restaurants and bars to private residences, making reporting more difficult.

The Anti-Trafficking in Persons Police Unit (A-TIP Police Unit) is the dedicated police unit for conducting trafficking investigations and operations. In 2022, the unit initiated 11 new investigations involving 11 individuals and continued 10 investigations from previous reporting periods. Despite these efforts, the government of Belize did not convict any traffickers in 2022.

The government has increased its efforts to protect victims, including by improving screening and identification procedures. In 2022, the A-TIP Police Unit screened 295 individuals for trafficking indicators and identified seven confirmed victims. The government referred all nine victims (including two identified by NGOs) to initial government services.

To improve its anti-trafficking efforts, the US Department of State has made several recommendations for the Government of Belize. These include implementing the anti-trafficking law by vigorously investigating and prosecuting traffickers, improving coordination between the A-TIP Police Unit and the Department of Labor, and increasing the engagement of the anti-trafficking council with survivors.

Corruption in Belize

Belize has a history of corruption, which has worsened since the 2008 recession. The country has been sucked into the "War on Drugs", with its location and sparse population making it an ideal transit point for drug trafficking to the US. This has led to increased crime and corruption, with local gangs and police complicit in the drug trade.

Belize has a weak police force and military, and the government has responded to the drug trade with a hardline, militaristic approach, supported by the US, Canada, and the UK. However, this strategy has been criticised as ineffective and some suggest that drug legalisation and investment in social programs would be a better solution.

Additionally, there is a perception that the prime minister and ministers are above the law and that civil servants are not held accountable for crimes due to their political affiliations. This has created a culture of impunity, with those in power appointing loyal individuals to key law enforcement positions. As a result, there is a lack of trust in the government, and many Belizeans feel that their concerns are not being addressed.

Gang warfare

Belize has become a major transit country for drugs coming from South America to North America. Its sparse population, unpopulated jungles, long coastline, and hundreds of uninhabited islands make it an ideal entry point for smugglers. The country's small population and weak military also make it vulnerable to the influence of drug cartels.

Belize has historically been a haven for pirates and smugglers, and its geographic features are now in high demand by drug traffickers. The country's borders with Guatemala, its coastline, and its many small islands and atolls make it difficult to monitor and interdict drug trafficking. Remote jungles also provide an ideal environment for growing and transferring cannabis.

Belize's counter-narcotics efforts are hampered by corruption, intelligence deficiencies, an antiquated judicial system, and a lack of political will. Despite enhanced efforts by the Belize Coast Guard and the Anti-Drug Unit to monitor coastal waters, both organisations are limited by a lack of funding, equipment, and personnel.

Drug-fuelled gang violence is a significant issue in Belize, particularly in Belize City. The country has seen an increase in gang-related killings and attacks on police stations. Local gangs work for international traffickers, providing logistics for drug planes landing in Belize or making "wet drops" off its coast. The gangs are paid with drugs and weapons, which are then sold locally. Tourists and civilians are sometimes caught in the crossfire of gang conflicts over turf.

Belize has drug-cartel affiliates within existing gangs, primarily in the Belize district and in northern, western, and southern Belize. These gangs have links to the U.S. Crips and Bloods, as well as Mexican and Central American gangs. The Bloods are linked to the conservative United Democratic Party, while the Crips are affiliated with the progressive Peoples United Party.

In recent years, there has been growing concern over cartel infiltration within Belize's borders, with local law enforcement and national security agencies accused of turning a blind eye or denying the gravity of the situation. The government has affirmed its commitment to fortifying borders and combating cartel influence, but it remains to be seen whether their efforts will be sufficient to protect the country from the growing influence of drug cartels and the associated gang violence.

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