The government of Belize has reiterated its strong collaboration with U.S. authorities after being named alongside three other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations on a list of major drug transit or illicit drug-producing countries for the fiscal year 2025.
The list, released last week by U.S. President Joe Biden, includes The Bahamas, Belize, Haiti, and Jamaica.
Prime Minister John Briceño acknowledged Belize’s inclusion but emphasized the country’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking. “We have been working very closely with the United States government. We work very closely with Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico to try to discourage the use of Belize as a transit point,” Briceño said. He also noted a sharp decrease in the number of drug-laden planes landing in Belize since his administration took office in October 2020.
The designation by the U.S. does not necessarily reflect a lack of cooperation. According to President Biden, a country’s presence on the list “is not a sanction or penalty” but rather a recognition of its role in the drug trade. He also clarified that it does not directly correlate to a country’s counterdrug efforts or cooperation with the U.S.
Briceño explained that drug traffickers are increasingly using sea routes to avoid detection. “Drug lords with all the monies available are now using the high seas… they probably go somewhere with a coastline like Costa Rica, Nicaragua, or Honduras, and from there go straight to Mexico and the United States,” he explained.
Belize continues to bolster its anti-drug efforts, with the Prime Minister highlighting the use of drones and plans to acquire more advanced technology and vessels to monitor the nation’s exclusive economic zone. “We’re negotiating right now with either Taiwan or the United States to get boats that can go all the way out there. We can help more with the interdiction of drugs passing through our waters going on to Mexico and the United States,” Briceño said.
Belize law enforcement tackling drugs
Meanwhile, law enforcement in Belize remains active on the ground. Four individuals, including a woman, are scheduled to appear in court on November 15 after police seized 28 kilograms of cocaine during a raid in Corozal District. The suspects, Armando Torres, 35, Mirna Durantes, 36, Delwyn Novelo, 32, and Nigel Neal, 37, were charged with possession of controlled drugs with intent to supply.
Police Commissioner Chester Williams confirmed that law enforcement had discovered 25 parcels of suspected cocaine during the operation. “The cocaine was taken into police custody along with four persons who were found at the home. The suspected cocaine weighed just over 28 kilograms,” Williams stated.
In a separate incident, police destroyed a marijuana plantation in the Rhaburn Ridge community and uncovered six additional parcels of cocaine in the Corozal District. Commissioner Williams praised the continued efforts of Belizean law enforcement, noting that the government has made significant investments in resources to strengthen operations in the northern region.
“Our northern operations continue, and the government of Belize has invested heavily in providing the police with the tools they need to execute their duties,” Williams added.
