Central American Regional project agreement signed
The Central American Regional Security Initiative formerly known as the Merida Initiative, a joint effort between countries in North and Central America to combat the flow of illegal drugs and other related transnational crimes, is seeing the Government of Belize working closely with representatives from the U.S. Government in responding to the region’s many threats. Through this agreement the United States has subsidized the execution of several projects to the tune of two million U.S. dollars. This morning in Belmopan Prime Minister Dean Barrow and U.S. Ambassador Vinai Thummalapally signed a revised letter of agreement that will see both agencies meeting on a quarterly basis to evaluate the overall progress of CARSI.
Vinai Thummalapally, U.S. Ambassador
“CARSI is just one way that the United States is committed to being a good neighbor to Belize. This funding is provided to the Government of Belize to increase citizen safety and to decrease the threat of gangs, weapons trafficking and drug trafficking. Over the last eighteen months the U.S. Embassy has provided significant support to Belizean law enforcement. I’m pleased to report that our work with the Government of Belize security ministries and law enforcement personnel has been successful. This particular gift, this particular tranche of funding comes at a critical time in Belize’s fight against what our Central American friends call ‘La Delinquencia’. The phenomenon of being overtaken by this rise in crime and violence in various aspects but particularly with respect to gang violence and the urban difficulties we have become witness to especially on the Southside of Belize City. So it is in that overall context that I express gratitude on the part of the government and people of Belize for what is happening here today.”
“In terms of this United States initiative, basically we talk about its being a partnership and I suppose it is to the extent that the U.S. is doing this also from the point of view of self interest. But in terms of the monies that they give out to countries, in my view it’s welcomed, whatever Belize gets we can make use of but I’m not going to go cap in hand to the Americans asking for more. I’m no Oliver Twist, I’m Oliver Barrow. So really this is our fight, although local resources are limited I am determined to in fact be as creative as possible to scrape and scramble as much as possible so that I can commit sufficient local resources to give us some kind of a claw hold in terms of this all important fight against crime and violence.”
The funding will also be used to improve border inspection, prison management and to purchase police equipment. The purpose of CARSI is to create a safer and more secure Central American region free of the control that criminal organizations have had in undermining governments by threatening national and regional security and public safety.
Can we get a real forensic lab out of this money & a secure place for evidence along with training for our officers. We have some brilliant minds that are not being utilized, you have the American Bar Association coming in to help, have them train a few to work for the DPP & have them present some of the court cases, use their street smarts, common sense & education so that we can win a few cases.
Nicely put BZNinCALI….forensics is the way to go. No need to invest in witness protection when science is the best way of providing evidence
Proud: Evidence in the hands of someone without integrity still won’t cut it. These people know who are comitting these crimes and still refuse to convict.There is more to this crime situation than what we all think.
Let’s see if we can get what we need from this agreement………. WHAT’S IN IT FOR BELIZE?????
Elgin you have hit the nail square on the head. Wha could be behind this gang and shooting are a powerful international dope pushing ring that feed on the lower element of societies. Because there are so many who want to be a part of something but don’t know what, its easy to capture these types of individuals. First give them the drugs to sell and the potential to make more money than if they were working. Then some of them begin to use the drugs. In many cases pressure is put on the un defended to join the gang and the prove that they are worthy been accepted into the gang; and to prrove that they have to kill someone for their initiation. Once they kill someone that person is permanently huck, because they now hold that crime over his/her head, go along with the game or we turn you over to the law.
The other element to this menace is the fact that there are many ex-military special forcei ndividuals that were thought mind control including suttle hynosis that are now using this learned skill to work for the under world. People are been hypnotize without them knowing that they are under hypnosis. This may sound far fech, but all of this information can be researched on the Internet. The masses are asleep and have little or no knowledge of the various factions thatare fighting each other for one reason or the other, and they find the way to get individuals to fight there battle by the use of different brainwashing techniques. There are very seriuos discoveries in the various university about the function of the mind, and many devious individuals are using this knowledge to their advantage.It is documented by very reliable sources, that a person can be under total mind control, to the extent that they can be influence to carry out an act without been cognizant; totally oblivious. How elce can we explain the randum killings that are taking place in Belize? And been under the influence of drugs make it quite easy to control the individual who is already of an unstabel character.
Its because of this underground gang, drug brotherhood why guns are readily available in Belize.The only sure way to slow down this menace to society is with education and meaningful opportunities. There must be planted into the minds of our young, and back up with solid actions, that there is a brighter tomorrow to look forward to. Every adult citizens must come to grip with the fact that its our responsibility to nurture and protect the innocent young amongst us. There is no illusion of what will be the conquences if we don’t share this resonsibility. The mindless gang, drug culture see it as us against them. I came across some reliable information about currency and drugs, which states, that when tested, the vast majority of the GREEN BACK is found to have the residue of drugs on them. What does that tell you folks? Draw your own conclusion. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER. This is no time for silly emotions.