Belize Moves to Enhance Fight Against Transnational Crime

Belmopan, Belize - The Government of Belize has submitted legislation to the National Assembly aimed at enabling the country to become a state party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the Copenhagen Declaration on Transnational Organized Crime in the Global Fishing Industry.

International Cooperation

The move comes as Belize receives assistance from the United Kingdom and the United States in various areas, including:

Fight against organized crime
Humanitarian assistance
Training and exercise programs
Equipment and technology

The country also has established security partnerships with other countries in the region.

Challenges to Combating Transnational Crime

Despite international cooperation, Belize lacks a legal framework to efficiently implement its efforts to combat transnational crime. The country’s national laws and policies are in line with its international commitments, but most of them are rarely enforced and have little impact.

Criminal Justice System Challenges

Belize’s colonial history has left it with an accusatory legal system based on British practice
The justice system is slow and allegedly inefficient
More than a third of prison inmates are held in pre-trial detention
High-profile organized-crime-related cases are often dismissed due to political influence

Corruption Remains a Challenge

Law enforcement in the country is largely ineffective, despite financial and technological assistance from the US
Corruption remains an obstacle to improving the situation
The control of Belize’s unprotected coastline and extended borders with Guatemala and Mexico is complex, leaving the border isolated and unmonitored

Cybersecurity Concerns

Belize has a National Cybersecurity Strategy aimed at improving and developing critical infrastructure protection
However, the ongoing territorial dispute with Guatemala and the resulting unclear border definition hinder the authorities’ ability to carry out operations in that area

Economic and Financial Vulnerabilities

Belize remains vulnerable to money laundering, despite reforming its tax regime and being removed from the EU’s tax-haven blacklist
The country lacks proper compliance monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, allowing foreign actors to use Belize for money laundering since at least 2012

Human Trafficking Efforts

In recent years, the government has ramped up efforts to safeguard victims of trafficking
Improved victim identification and confirmation procedures have enabled more accurate data
However, the implementation of human trafficking legislation remains inefficient, and the country lacks resources to aid victims as required by law

NGOs play a significant role in supporting the government with victim assistance
Religious institutions collaborate with NGOs to carry out missionary work
Belize has a relatively free press environment, but media polarization makes coverage of sensitive issues controversial
Threats, harassment, and intimidation of journalists occur occasionally

The United States Department of State provided funding for this summary. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of State.