Belize: A Dangerous Paradise

Belize is a small country with a very low population density, but it has a high crime rate and is often ranked among the countries with the highest murder rates worldwide. This is largely due to gang and drug-related violence in Belize City, particularly in the Southside neighbourhood, which accounts for the majority of crimes in the country. Belize also has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, and violent crime is a significant concern across the country, including in Belmopan. Gang violence is a notable issue, and police capacity to respond to violent incidents is limited. Tourists are not usually targeted, but they may find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Gang violence

The police capacity to respond to violent incidents in Belize is limited, and many crimes remain unsolved. While tourists are not usually targeted, they may find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. Violent crime is not limited to Southside Belize City, but is also prevalent in other parts of the country, including Belmopan. Belize has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world, with approximately 140 murders per year.

Southern Belize City, in particular, has a reputation for being a rough neighbourhood with a significant presence of gang activities. Most tourists and expats tend to avoid this area, as there is no reason to venture into these dangerous parts. However, it is important to remain vigilant and aware of your surroundings throughout Belize, as gang-related violence and criminal activities can occur in various parts of the country.

To minimise the risk of becoming a victim of gang violence in Belize, it is advisable to follow safety precautions such as avoiding non-essential travel to high-risk areas, carrying valid identification at all times, remaining vigilant and aware of your surroundings, avoiding travelling after dark, and keeping up-to-date with local news and travel advisories.

Drug trafficking

Belize has become a key transit country for drug trafficking, with its location and the increasing violence in neighbouring Mexico and Guatemala making it an ideal transshipment point to the U.S. market. Belize's small population, low population density, and large unpopulated tracts of land have provided a significant opportunity for drug production and trafficking to thrive.

The impact of drug trafficking extends beyond those directly involved, ensnaring low-paid law enforcement, fisheries officers, tour guides, and fishermen. Their skills and knowledge of the local area are in high demand by drug traffickers, who are willing to pay well for their services.

Belize has drug-cartel affiliates that reach into law enforcement, the military, and the general population. The country's porous borders and sparsely populated geography make it easy for cartel operatives to circulate. The affiliates are within existing gangs, primarily in the Belize district, that are in turn affiliated with the U.S. Crips and Bloods. Cliques with links to Mexican and Central American gangs have been reported in northern, western, and southern Belize.

To counter the drug trafficking threat, Belize has adopted a hardline, militaristic approach, cracking down on drugs and strengthening its military and police force with the help of its allies—the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. However, the effectiveness of this approach has been questioned, with some suggesting that Belize should instead focus on marijuana legalization, investing in social programs, and promoting a healthcare approach by building rehabilitation centres.

High murder rate

Belize has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world. The country's small population of about 380,000 people is concentrated in a space roughly the size of New Jersey. While most of the country is safe for the majority of people, there are certain areas that are better suited for more experienced travellers.

Belize City, for example, is known for its high crime rate and accounts for the vast majority of crimes in the country. The area to the south of the Haulover Creek, known as Southside, is particularly dangerous and is associated with gang and drug-related violence, including murders and shootings. In June 2024, the Belizean government declared a state of emergency in Southside due to high levels of crime.

The police capacity to respond to violent incidents is limited, and many crimes go unsolved. While tourists are not usually targeted, they may find themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is recommended to avoid non-essential travel to Southside Belize City and to exercise a high degree of caution when visiting the country.

In addition to Belize City, other areas with higher levels of crime include Northside Victoria Street and Roaring Creek Village. It is advised to carry valid ID at all times, monitor local media, and follow the instructions of local authorities.

Poor police response

Belize is a small country with a very low population density of about 380,000 people. The country has a high crime rate, with Belize City accounting for the majority of crimes. The city's Southside neighbourhood has a particularly bad reputation for gang and drug-related violence, including murders and shootings.

Belize's police capacity to respond to violent incidents is limited, and many crimes remain unsolved. The police department is responsible for internal security, with oversight from the Ministry of National Security. However, their effectiveness is hampered by a lack of resources and poor enforcement of the law.

In 2019, the US State Department reported that there were several allegations of unlawful killings and corruption by security officers, as well as allegations of abuse by security force personnel. In the same year, 43% of the complaints received by the Police Standards Branch (PSB) were for police brutality. There have also been reports of arbitrary arrests by police units, with some detainees being held for more than 24 hours without charge.

The police force in Belize faces significant challenges, including a lack of resources and poor enforcement of the law. This has contributed to the country's high crime rate and may deter tourists and expats from visiting or living in certain areas. The police's limited capacity to respond to violent incidents can make it difficult for them to protect citizens effectively, leaving some areas more vulnerable to criminal activity.

To address the issue of violent crime, the Belize Police Department has implemented community policing initiatives and uses technology to improve communication with the community. They have also established a voluntary special constable programme and joined the JASMINE Alert™ Program, which helps law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry activate urgent bulletins in serious child-abduction/kidnapping cases.

Territorial disputes

Belize has a long-standing territorial dispute with Guatemala, which has persisted for over two centuries. The roots of Guatemala's claim on Belize go back to the 17th century when British settlers and their slaves came to the coasts of Central America to cut logwood. The Spanish Crown considered these settlers intruders and pirates, and the British Crown initially did nothing to protect them. However, in 1763, as part of the Treaty of Paris, Spain gave these settlers, known as "Baymen", the right to cut logwood within a small area that remained under Spanish sovereignty.

Over time, the boundaries of the settlement were agreed upon through various treaties, including the Treaty of Versailles in 1783 and the Anglo-Spanish Convention in 1786. Despite these agreements, British settlers continued to push the boundaries of their settlement further south, beyond the limits set by the treaties. In 1821, when Central America gained independence from Spain, Guatemala claimed that it inherited Spain's sovereign rights over the territory now known as Belize.

In 1859, the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty was negotiated between Guatemala and Britain, with Guatemala recognising British sovereignty over Belize and forming the modern-day boundary lines. However, this treaty included an article about building a mutually beneficial road, which was never constructed. Guatemala used this unfulfilled promise as a justification to abrogate the treaty unilaterally in 1939 and renew its claims on the territory.

In the following decades, there were intermittent flare-ups of tension between Guatemala and Belize, which was then known as British Honduras. There were threats of invasion, negotiations, and the stationing of troops on both sides. Belize gained independence from Britain in 1981, but the territorial dispute with Guatemala remained unresolved. Guatemala recognised Belize's independence in the early 1990s but continued to claim the territory.

In 1999, Guatemala shifted its stance again, asserting that it had inherited Spain's historical claims on Belize and was owed more than half of Belize's land mass. This claim amounted to roughly 53% of the country's territory. In response, both countries stationed troops at the border and established a one-kilometre "adjacency zone" on either side of the treaty border.

In an effort to resolve the dispute, Belize and Guatemala agreed in 2008 to hold simultaneous referendums to decide whether to send the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The referendums passed in both countries, and as of 2022, the dispute is being settled at the ICJ, with both countries submitting their briefs. The court's ruling is not expected until 2025 at the earliest.

The territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala has been a persistent source of tension and has contributed to a history of flare-ups and threats of invasion. While the situation has been quieter since Belize's independence, the ongoing dispute continues to impact relations between the two countries and has the potential to escalate into more serious conflicts.

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