Belize and Chetumal Officials Working to Allay Belizeans’ Security Concerns

As we have reported, there has been an uptick in cartel-related violence in neighboring Mexico. News Five was in Chetumal on Thursday to find out how the recent spike in crime and the Government of Belize’s travel advisory are affecting the influx of Belizeans to Chetumal. We found that since Monday, there has been a decrease in traffic across the border. As we said, this is of great concern to businesses in the city.  There is also a fear that the violence will spill over into northern Belize. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Thursday, a News Five’s team traveled to Chetumal to find out whether recent reports of increased cartel activities in the city are stopping Belizeans from traveling across the northern border. We found that many Belizeans are still going across to shop, for leisure and business, though the numbers have undoubtedly decreased this week. A genuine fear of encounters with cartel elements is on the minds of many.

 

Jonathon Cayetano, Belizean in Chetumal

“Well you know when I have the overall look pan it, like you said it is something common in Mexico, so I am not surprised. It is just sad that it is getting closer and closer to home. I still feel secure and safe. Yo just nuh get yourself eena like any endangering predicaments or lingering where you nuh suppose to be. Just as long as you the yah and you keep aware of your surrounding. I believe everything safe for you. You just have to be cautious and know the danger do exist.”

 

On Wednesday the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on the situation in Chetumal. It says that the Government of Belize is monitoring the recent rise in violent crime in Chetumal. The ministry advised Belizeans to exercise caution when traveling in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. And, there is also a real concern that the violence can spill over into Belize.

 

Reporter

“And then as minister, because I think you’d understand that some people are fearful that in fact there may be greater consequences in Belize of what’s happening in Quintana Roo, we know that there’s collaboration with some already here, some criminal elements already here, and cartel operatives. What would be your advice to Belizeans and when they say our Belize Police Department and even military might not be able to compare to the weaponry that cartels have.”

 

Kareem Musa, Minister, Home Affairs & New Growth Industries

“I would not agree with that. We are adequately prepared. We are adequately resourced in terms of our police department and our military to handle this type of situation. It won’t be any sort of mass incursion that we are expecting. And so just certain individuals me We are trying to prevent and to ensure that their tentacles do not spread further. And so, we are targeting certain individuals who our intelligence is suggesting has been have been working along with them targeting those individuals and again, nipping it in the bud.”

 

Amir Padilla Espadas, the President of Canaco Chetumal, a private sector organization in Mexico, has called on the Belize government to swiftly address and remove this warning. He stressed that its continuation could adversely affect the influx of Belizean visitors, who significantly contribute to the local economy. Oscar Arnold, Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico, is scheduled to meet with Mexican authorities in Chetumal on Saturday. There was also a meeting held earlier this week with the Head of the Secretary of Government in Quintana Roo.

 

Oscar Arnold, Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico

“They met with the business community to try to ally their fears, and to introduce the plans that they are rolling out and putting in place to ensure citizen security in that area. The police have also said that the, I don’t know if that when you visited Chetumal, when you drive around there is these small security booths at different intersections on the corners of streets, the police have said that you will see more security personnel at these security booths and there may be more road blocks where there will be enhanced due diligence where they will be asking more questions and maybe even searching vehicles. So, these are the types of things that Belizeans should expect if they want to go to Chetumal over the next few days to a week.”

Ambassador Arnold was asked if the cartel violence in Chetumal has primarily been between members of these gangs. He says that to date, no tourist has been targeted in any attack.

 

Oscar Arnold

“So far that is what is being seen. That is the intelligence coming out of the authorities now. However, if you will remember, because I have done interviews in the past when Belizeans have been killed in Tulum or in and around Cancun and the initial investigation on a few of those have revealed that Belizeans were involved in that sort of activity and get caught up in turf wars. As it relates to what has been happening, no Belizeans have been targeted, no tourist whether Belizean or any other nationality has been targeted. So, it does seem as though it would be between rival groups.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.