Police to MS-13 Gang: Belize is Not a Haven for You

Chester Williams

Earlier, we heard Commissioner of Police Chester Williams speak of the gang flare-ups in the Lake Independence area and the collaborative efforts directed at diffusing further retaliation in that community. But another gang that has also been a headache for the police is the MS-13 gang originating from El Salvador. This gang, which is said to have growing numbers across Belize City, has been known to terrorize the residents in the communities where it operates. The most recent report was made in the Belama area just last week.  Williams says the message to these Central American groups is that we are not a safe haven for them to settle and set up shop.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“We know the tendencies of these gangs from those areas and their habits are not what we want in Belize. So, yes, we have been on high alert along with the Immigration Department along the borders. Likewise within our districts and villages and towns, officers have been on high alert and we have asked the public to report to us any sighting of person or persons who they may believe are affiliated with these gangs or are gang members from Central America. Then we go in and detain those persons, interview them to see exactly who they are. If they are from Central America and they are not in Belize legally, then we would refer the matter to Immigration. But if they are Belizeans and have legal status and we believe that they are gang members then we do our gang investigation to see if there would be enough for us to make an arrest.”