Antivirus Founder, John McAfee, says politics caused GSU raid
John McAfee is the founder of McAfee Antivirus has been a philanthropist and investor in Belize. How rich is McAfee? We’re not sure, but rich enough to donate a vessel worth one point two million dollars to the Belize Coastguard in January 2009. McAfee lives in Belize and he says that he has become a target of the Gang Suppression Unit. He says the GSU came busting into his research facility in Orange Walk, killed his dog, took his passport, handcuffed him and arrested him on a bogus weapons charge. McAfee says he’s a victim because he didn’t donate money to a known U.D.P. Orange Walk politician.
John McAfee, Claims False Imprisonment by GSU
John McAfe
“On Monday at six o’clock, I was awakened by the sound of a bullhorn, a megaphone. I went outside and saw about thirty GSU in full uniform, full dressed, automatic weapons, storming through the property and drive way. I went back inside, got some clothes on, I came out. I was told to put up my hands up against the wall as was eleven other people on the compound. We had about eleven people present at the time—five of them were women. I was told that they had a warrant to search property. They began, with sledge hammers, to break the doors of the buildings—none of them were locked, but they just went and broke them in any case. I was merely watching this. They confiscated my passport, all of the weapons we used for security on the compound, handcuffed me and everyone and for fourteen hours outside in the sun, I sat handcuffed without food or water. We got water around noon. At three o’clock we asked for food. We were told by the GSU, do we look like cooks to you. They murdered my dog in cold blood. That was the thing I think—it was a warning to us that this is serious; don’t mess with us. They threw things around, they stole things—it was unbelievable, unimaginable for a country that was supposedly a democratic country. I was arrested on a bogus charge of having an illegal firearm—a firearm without a license. 
At the very beginning of the day, one of the GSU soldiers, one of the GSU officers, took all of my firearm licenses and put them in his vest. When he took them out to check the firearms, this one was missing. They charged me for having a firearm without a license; took me to Belize City. Fortunately we had copies. We showed up later at the police station with the copies. Even then it was difficult to get out. I had to get the intervention of the American embassy to get released. By the time I got to Belize, it was sixteen hours. I slept until two a.m. on a concrete floor at the Queen’s Street Police Station until the embassy finally convinced someone to release me. They confiscated my passport and claimed they didn’t have it. The entire day was an incredible nightmare. This is clearly a military dictatorship where people are allowed to go and harass citizens based on rumor alone and treat them as if they are guilty before any evidence whatsoever is obtained. It is astonishing, it is beyond belief and I intended not to let this stand. I will not stand idly by to let this happen to me. I promise you. 
It began, innocently enough, with my refusal to donate to the local political boss of the district where I lvied in Orange Walk and I have given at least two million dollars in gifts to the police departments in Orange Walk, San Pedro, Belize City, to the village of Carmelita, the City of Orange Walk. I have started programs to feed children, I’ve helped mothers whose husbands have simply disappeared. I am an old man, I am sixty-six. I have a fair amount of money and not much to do. So I spend it where I think it will do go. And I don’t ever invest in politics. I don’t donate to any political party; I don’t have any political affiliations. I think politics is foolish for a private citizen like myself to engage in—the winning party; you never get your money and the losing party; your on the outs. So I do not. And I refused to donate and the gentleman expected you know, I’ve given a million dollars to the police department, so he should get a huge chunk and he got nothing. Immediately after that, he began—not personality but his aids—began a campaign of calling to the local radio stations on Saturday morning talk shows saying the same thing; “What are we going to do about the white man at the toll bridge? He has all of these security guards. He’s probably involved in illegal activities. Everybody is complaining about him.” Nothing could be further from the truth. That politician by the way did not get reelected.”
McAfee says he’s seeking legal advice.
I visited Belize in July, and had the best trip of my life. For what is technically a third world country, the level of corruption *seems* low, at least in the areas near San Pedro. I have not looked at data for this, but my experience anecdotally indicated as much. But please don’t mistake my *mild* surprise at this for incredulity or condescending disrespect. I am fascinated by Belize’s history and culture, and its people were extraordinarily kind and generous.
Needless to say, I’m planning on returning as soon as possible.
Burst in and shoot the dog. Really. Try that in my house and you WILL exit in a body bag.
this goes to RichTheEngineer … how ignorant u can be dude, first of all BELIZE is not an island …. go back to school … and after that hell ….
Ian – you visited – i lived there 7 yrs. You have no idea. The corruption is OUT of CONTROL. You have bo idea.
hell wit all of u who tinks my country is mess up/……………………………………..im proud to be belizean and im glad wat hapend to the usa at september…………
They dont call these countries ‘Banana Republics’ for nuffin’, honey!! ;P
I’ve visited Belize befroe, but since it had been a few years, picked up Fodor’s Belize 2007 guide. First thing I noticed is it is now one complete book devoted to the country, where in the past it was grouped under the title of Central America . In this case, more does not translate into better. Much of this book is irrelevant filler. Most disappointing however is that the writers seems to have phoned it in while lounging by the resort swimming pool. In short, if you love expensive hotels or trendy restaurants, this is the book for you. If you are interested in visiting more of the real country, try another publication. For example, Dangriga is a fascinating part of Belize, but lacks traditional tourist infrastructure. While it may not be the most popular part of the country for the Fodor writers, I would expect at least an update of hotel descriptions. Sadly, some are easily two years out of date. Yet another example is seen in the coverage afforded to Belmopan, the capitol of the country. Belmopan is also not a major area for tourism, but people do visit. There are some small hotels and B&B’s available, nothing fancy, but clean and friendly. Yet the only listings shown in the 2007 Guide are for resorts located many miles away (One suggestion is at least a 45 minute drive from Belmopan. Its a beautiful air-conditioned jungle lodge but so far away, to list it is absurd.) Again, the writers may not like having to stay in a small hotel, but they should at least list them for others who may visit. Not surprisingly, the only place this book excels is when it comes to Ambergris Caye and San Pedro. It does give a very good listing of hotels, restaurants and activities. While the focus is on the more expensive, it does cover a representative range. I hope this guide does not mark a new direction for Fodors. I personally enjoy staying in more upscale accommodations, but would not avoid a section of a country simply because there are no 4-star hotels. A good travel book should give a complete range. I stopped using Frommers because of this arrogance. I hope Fodors is not following in their footsteps.
Ditto the above.
Belize the Jewel Paradise have its ups and downs like any other country.. at least we don’t have massacre’s/mass murders happening at our schools….and here is the thingie..don’t let bad apple spoil the whole barrel…and by the way what about the guy (Mc Afee”s neighbor) that was found dead? McAfee was enjoying the sweet grapes in Belize now that its over he is crying that its sour…listen up..visit Belize..Mother Nature Best Kept Secret and don’t stop till you get enough…
love my country…was born there, looking forward to retiring there…most beautiful place on earth and my people though poor are awesome and friendly…the crimes in the city is pretty bad at times, but we don’t have the crazy shootings and mass murders as the US has…I currently live in Florida which is pretty good, but I think belize is better…i’m looking forward to being home again in my beautiful country…Mcafee is a crazy fool….