Prime Minister, Police Ministry and United Gangs meet
Prime Minister Dean Barrow cut short his trip to St. Kitts and returned to Belize to diffuse the ongoing tension between the gangs and the Gang Suppression Unit. Last Friday, the GSU mounted a violent confrontation with the George Street Gang following the funeral of Charles Woodeye and in the process many innocent persons were brutalized. There were subsequent threats of retaliation in the aftermath of the incident which sent shudders throughout the community in light of the approaching celebrations. Soon after his return today, the prime minister and a high level team including Minister of Police Doug Singh, Brigadier General Dario Tapia and Dr. Herbert Gayle headed to the IT-VET where he had two separate meetings; one with gangs not affiliated to George Street and another meeting was held exclusively with George Street and its affiliated gangs. Hattieville inmates who are associates of known Belize City gangs were also included in the meetings. Just before six this evening, both meetings concluded. The prime minister in an interview with the media discussed the possibility of a truce between the rival gangs.
Dean Barrow
Dean Barrow
“Well the meeting came about after I spoke to the Minister of Police from abroad when I learnt that there had been the threat issued on the media and when I learnt from the Minister that there was information to suggest that the threat was real. I felt that it necessitated me coming back to Belize and cutting short the mission I was on in St. Kitts. The minister agreed; he put together the logistics of the meeting, extended the invitation to the gang leaders. The primary purpose was to diffuse the situation in terms fot he threat that had been issued. By the time I got here this afternoon, I learnt that a press release had in fact been given to you yesterday and that the George Street and Affiliates had already given an undertaking. It was nevertheless necessary to confirm that undertaking in today’s meeting and to go beyond that. We had two sets of meetings. The minister arranged for everyone else other than George Street to come one-thirty and we spoke to them and then of course we had the meeting with George Street and its affiliates at three-thirty. We agreed with both sides that there is a need for a face to face dialogue and all parties meeting with government—of course with the state acting as facilitator and that will take place on Sunday. The idea is to try and forge some kind of a truce and that was made clear to both sides—both sides expressed that willingness to talk about exactly that objective. Whether we will actually be successful coming out of that meeting on Sunday is another matter, but given where we are, it is certainly worth the effort and I certainly am absolutely committed to investing my time in the process to try and achieve the outcome that we all desire.”
Jules Vasquez, 7 News
“With Respect sir, you’ve been here before. We remember January of 2010, it had reached a similar head and you had a meeting with some of these same players and again it unfolded into chaos.”
Dean Barrow
“Well if I have to be here again in a few months time, I will be. The point is that we have to keep on trying. We acknowledge that in fact the situation has not improved and so we will continue to go with it a will. There is a difference between this time and last time—these were far larger groups. Both the earlier group at one-thirty and the second group at three-thirty and there were many more of the major players. In fact, all the known leaders as far as I can tell were present except for people who might actually in jail—and I think we even brought one or two people out of jail. So the point I want to make is that I was cautious and in fact factual in terms of telling you that what will come out of Sunday afternoon’s meeting is anybody’s guess—whether anything will come out of Sunday’s meeting, is anybody’s guess. But the effort has to be made. Certainly I was extremely impressed by the commitment freely given after I had proposed this dialogue—freely given by the leaders of George Street and Affiliates this afternoon. So far as I can judge, I am convinced that there is a willingness to help the effort. Government is prepared to offer a number of things if this truce can be reached and so we will make absolutely a determined effort on Sunday to come out of the meeting with something in terms of a way forward.”
On Tuesday, the Ministry of Police issued a release saying that it had received information that several gangs had grenades that they intended to use during the celebrations. On Thursday, four affiliated gangs rejected that allegation and today the rival groups all agreed to hold their corner. Minister Doug Singh told the press that aside from the customary increased patrols, there are other security measures being put in place to ensure the safety of citizens during the September Celebrations, particularly the Carnival Road March to be held on Saturday.
Dean Barrow
“Well the usual heightened security measures are going to be in place. I don’t know if the minister wants to reveal his plans. That might not be the wisest possible thing but I suspect the point you would want me to make is that there will not be any lessening of the stepped up efforts that are always put in place at this time of year even though I believe that the commitment made on the part of George Street and Gill Street and the others not to cause any trouble; not to attack anyone and especially innocent civilians; I think that that commitment was made absolutely in good faith and I accept that they are serious about the commitment. Nevertheless, we have to do what we always do at this time and the minister is going to ensure together with the commissioner to make sure that the measures are in place.
Doug Singh
Doug Singh, Minister of Police
“We’ll take every effort to ensure that the public is safe. We’ve made it clear to all parties involved that if anyone breaks the law, that we will have to take proper measures; there is no easing in context of the policing that has to be done. We understand the circumstances and the heightened circumstances. While the carnival is important and it’s one of those events that require a lot of officers, other events through the September celebrations also will. Some of them are a little easier to contain such as the Expo, such as the twenty-first celebration which is concentrated in a specific area. But all measures will be taken—we’ll have people in plain clothes, we’ll have uniformed officers along the route as we always do. We will have the bus following the carnival which is there to pick up people who are disorderly or not acting in the proper or who are disruptive and breaking the law. So there is no easing in context of what has to be done from a policing standpoint, but we have come to an understanding that we are going to work in the best possible faith to ensure that there is no violation to anybody’s rights and that we will meet on Sunday to work through things.”
This is the second time that the prime minister has met directly with the gangs. In the first instance, in January 2010 the truce lasted overnight and rival factions resumed the bloodbath on the streets.
Gangs should be outlawed in Belize , having the Prime Minister meeting with them is absurd. what kind of law and order can there be in Belize when you negotiate with criminals? Seems that there is a link between politicians and gangs.
Is this a bad joke? I think only in the Jewel does the Prime Minister lower himself and the dignity of the nation to meet with street criminals, as if they amount to anything!
They are the enemy of the people, and they must be treated as such. What do you do with an enemy? Defeat him!
Negotiating with terrorists feels a little dirty, borderline perverted but if these men & women can come to the conclusion the rest of us have that the suicides are destructive to all & they stop this spit, then by all means, go ahead.
Useless pm and gov. Worse in the history of Belize this year alone more murders happened in Belize than in afganistan these gangs belong to barrow anyway whoever in the world in law enforcement makes deals with gang members this shows the ineptness of this useless gov.
THE FIRST ERROR OF ANY GOVERNMENT IS TO GIVE IMPORTANCE TO THESE ANIMALS.THE MORE YOU CAPITULATE,THE MORE THEY WILL DEMAND.THE GOVERNMENT NEED TO FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE AND HAVE LONG AUTOMATIC SENTENCES FOR ANY PERSON COMITTING A CRIME WITH A FIRE ARM..IF THE OFFENSE ENDING UP WITH TAKING A LIFE,THEN THEY SHOULD HANG IMMEDIATELY IMMEDIATELY AFTER TRIAL WHEN FOUND GUILTY BEYOND ANY REASONABLE DOUBT.THIS APPEAL COURT IN THE CARIBBEAN IS JUST ANOTHER IDEA OF THE LIBERAL UNITED NATIONS THAT HAVE NOTHING MORE THAN DESTROY THE MORAL STANDARDS OF YESTER YEARS.WE ARE GOING DOWN A SPIRAL DECLINE TO MORE CHAOS AND DESTRUCTION.THE ONLY SOLUTION IS BRUTE FORCE.
Wrong move ——- one do not negotiate with terrorist, we already know who they are, take them on a chopper in the middle of the jungle and push them out the door.
Was a good gesture to return to the country earlier than planned and also assuring belizeans they will be safe during the coming celebrations.
Are we really seeking to discover why all these basically young people trapped in the old capital are that angry and violent?
Lets face it, it will take years for the current violence to ride itself out,but what concrete steps are being taken in terms of educating the children in resolving disputes in the schools . An education is a good thing, but not everyone is college material—statics indicate trained pumbers, electricians,carpenters can make a very successful life for themselves—what training is being developed for highschool dropouts or even for the homeless street kids?
wrong move——— one do not negotiate with terrorist, we already know who they are, take them on a chopper in the middle of the jungle and push them out the door.
this Da Lone R*** How the hell does government dare to sit down and have a meeting with Gangs! They are all criminals and are not afraid to say it and show it. In our neighboring countries if you say you are a gang member you are dealt with. I wonder if borrow is the leader of these gangs?????
This is plainly not right. PM has his tail under his legs. (Pm you afraid of them that could harm you and you alone) you do talk with them. But to the real masses the people of this nation you try to rape and violate our rights with the introduction of the 9 amendment. Pm you are very wrong on the head, your head is not of a leader, but of an oppressor yet very afraid of them that can harm you and only you.
lol the fact that criminals can easily and quickly get a meeting with the PM shows just how bad all these people are….they’re all criminals in a nutshell
I THINK WE CHANGE THIS GOVERMENT NOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
Stop giving credence to these parasites and take care of the good citizens of Belize. Eradicate them all by whatever means necessary. Barrow, you are from the old days when Belize was a peaceful country. Its citizens are yearning for those days. Of course it was not as viable economically, but there was no threat of losing your life to crimes. Meeting with these thugs is a sign of weakness. They now think that they have the upper hand.
It is shameful to see the Prime Minister of a country putting an affair to huddle with a gang of theives and murderers. All Belizeans knows who these low lives are as do the Police but, for some insane reason, are afraid to take appropriate action. “FAIR” I thinkl is the correct word. By meeting with those &*^%$# they are legitimizing their SCUMBAG association.
This is the biggest joke of the year. Is barrow out of his mind? Just as they are making some headway with these animals they fall for the trap and will let them regroup. These humans are criminals. Let them kill off each other and when they take a break kill those resting.YOU break these humans … not let them regroup.Now they have status and that will go to their heads.i guess this means that the gov is in need of the help of the gangs to ease the crime cause the belize law enforcement cannot do the job.GUYS ON BICYCLES ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE BELIZE GOVERNMENT. Folks…..it is time to reassess your intentions about living in Belize.One incident on a gang infested street has made the Prime Minister run to hold talks with them.When has he run to create jobs? to bring back the death penalty? to fix the roads and streets of towns as well as the CAPITAL TOWN OF BELMOPAN? WHEN HAS HE RUN TO CREATE A COUNTRY WHICH WILL WELCOME TOURISTS AND INVESTORS? HE RUNS BACK HOME TO TALK. USELESS IS NOT THE WORD FOR THIS BLACK MAN.ALL TALK AND NO BALLS.
This is the biggest joke of the year. Is barrow out of his mind? Just as they are making some headway with these animals they fall for the trap and will let them regroup. These humans are criminals. Let them kill off each other and when they take a break kill those resting.YOU break these humans … not let them regroup.Now they have status and that will go to their heads.i guess this means that the gov is in need of the help of the gangs to ease the crime cause the belize law enforcement cannot do the job.GUYS ON BICYCLES ARE MORE POWERFUL THAN THE BELIZE GOVERNMENT. Folks…..it is time to reassess your intentions about living in Belize.One incident on a gang infested street has made the Prime Minister run to hold talks with them.When has he run to create jobs? to bring back the death penalty? to fix the roads and streets of towns as well as the CAPITAL TOWN OF BELMOPAN? WHEN HAS HE RUN TO CREATE A COUNTRY WHICH WILL WELCOME TOURISTS AND INVESTORS? HE RUNS BACK HOME TO TALK. USELESS IS NOT THE WORD FOR THIS BLACK MAN.ALL TALK AND NO BALLS.
Regardless of past transgressions when leaders meet and hold the safety of their people in mind that is a true leader especially considering innocents involved once you kill innocents you can consider your own dead, because that chain of violence regenerates, I hope that God’s blessings falls upon those who are brave enough to forge a new path of peace and certainly I hope slowly the community will start gaining that trust there used to be in Belize of ole, by giving the young men a chance and for gangs be brave enough to struggle to give scholarships, jobs make education and decency your #1 priority otherwise it backfires always, Yes you can do it! it won’t be easy the hardest thing is afterwards the honesty and cooperation to implement the truce conditions regardless who is our friend that is the most obstacle we have to overcome in Belize, to follow up and keep our promises to try and help each other as brother and sister, sometimes we just care about the plate of food infront of us and forget we will see our victims on the other side when it is our turn to go. One needs to befriend God as a father so when one meets him our soul is the most important thing and what you remember when the time comes. I wish all Belizeans love, peace and prosperity but above all faith in God!
Big round of applause to th Pm and Dougie… They begged the gangs not to mess up the carnival…who is in control then? What a shame!
If there’s a truce, it wouldn’t be for long. They’re so trigger-happy that before the celebration season is over, we’re going to see the same sad stories again in our news. After all, we are humans & we have temptations. It’s sad.
people of belize what kind of prime minister do you all got. will i think you’ll got a lousy prime minister,one that makes truce with crimminals i think what he trying to do is to make look like he is doing something for the citezen of belize. he fooling his self,he have done this on one occasion it did not work what him think that will work again. he need to man up and make decisions not makeing truce with crimminals. he knows who are these crimminals why not put them in jail. so one question IS THIS THE KIND OF LEADER YOU ALL WANT IN YOUR HOME? FOR SURE I DO NOT THIS KIND OF LEADER IN COUNTRY OR MY HOME. if he would only think for one moment how many innocent victims has fall to death by these killers and now he making with crimminals.
Meeting with gangs? Gimme a break. The headlines should be reading “GSU killed them all; God is sorting them out.”
Too much credence is being given to these street thugs. But then again the fruit never falls too far away from its roots. Perhaps Barrow knows best. Thugs on the streets, thugs in government. Is there any difference?
Meeting with gangs? Gimme a break. The headlines should be reading “GSU killed them all; God is sorting them out.”
Too much credence is being given to these street thugs. But then again the fruit never falls too far away from its roots. Perhaps Barrow knows best. Thugs on the streets, thugs in government. Is there any difference?
Meeting with gangs? What is wrong with Barrow? The news headlines should be reading “gang members assasinated in a pre dawn GSU raid. God is busy sorting them out for their final destination…… Hell!”
Are we not giving too much credence to these $#!%heads when we ask them to sit down and let’s compromise? But then again, maybe Barrow knows best. Gangbangers on the streets, gangbangers in government, is there any difference?
This time our Honourable??? Prime Minister has stooped so low that the snakes in the ground are looking down at him!!! Negotiate with gangs who we all know are responsible for so many deaths in our beloved country?? You don’t negotiate with them you put them in jail and throw the key away!!! So, you already acknowledged they are bigger than you??? Mr. Barrow, grow a pair and do your job!!!! Or is the job of Prime Minister of Belize too big for you??? Shame on you!!!!!!!!!!!
more and more power to gangbangers they run this town and they control from the P.M , THE POLICE MINISTER , POLICE CHEIF, PUP LEADER and BDF, GET IN GANG S WAY OF LIFE you knows best ————– it is politicions and theives run by powerful crimminals not gangs.
What the hell is wrong with Belizeans, when the 9th amendment was introduced it was to stop ths sort of things with the gangs but instead the people cry foul, now the PM meet with the slimes and they still cry foul, you stupid people have no idea what the hell you want or what is good for yourself.
Well well well, look who wants Talk, weh deh fi talk bout wat unnu tired ah kill.( natty don’t run Rudy don’t fear, from emperor ah push yur feet to his kingdom,Natty done fear.
F.R.E.E so it have fi “B”
SO NOW GANGS ARE A LEGAL THING IN BELIZE THE PRIME MINESTER JUST SAID SO A !@#$%^&* SHAME THEY SHOULD HAVE BEING LOCKUP AND CHARGE FOR HOLDING THE CITY HOSTAGE BEING A CRIMINAL ELEMENT AND TERRORIST ACTIVITY I AM SORRY DEAN BARROW I CANNOT SUPPORT THIS ACTION AND THE MEDIA TOO TO BLAME FOR TURNING CRIMINALS AND KILLERS WITH TERROIST INTENT INTO HEROS ON OR STREETS THIS IS B S WHEN DID CRIMINALS AND KILLERS TURN HEROES NOT UNTILL DEAN BARROW SAID SO NOT GOOD NOT GOOD AT ALL
i think it makes no sense to be saying anything because these gangs are all for the GOV’T so they have to do what is asked of them… like what one said from GSG they put them there and we all know the these same politicians sit and laugh and talk with these guys on a daily basis
i think it makes no sense to be saying anything because these gangs are all for the GOV’T so they have to do what is asked of them… like what one said from GSG they put them there and we all know the these same politicians sit and laugh and talk with these guys on a daily basis and use when necessary
You want to meet Barrow and his government then form or join a gang. Law abiding citizens cannot see him.
Imagine that!!! And he could not have met with the Churches, Chamber of Commerce, the lawyers them, to discuss his constitutional amendments. It was only after they opposed that he was willing to meet with the Church only.
This man willing to meet with violent and uneducated gang members, but not with educated and productive citizens. Something wrong with this PM.
gang members vote, and they deliver votes. both parties play footsie with gangs. once again Belize refuses to learn from the mistakes made in Jamaica.
See now PM, this gangs already showed up . without tinted glasses. can we taint our vehicles back. this sun is hot . This PM barrows is a joke. Kick him out now .
A Prime Minister of a country should never have to meet with the low lifes of a country. I understand that they don’t want anything to happen during the september celebrations but to let these people feel like they have some sort of power is wrong. They should’ve organized the meeting in a discrete location and let all the gangs meet up and let them stay there without GOB and see who comes out alive. Then arrest whoever comes out for murder and lock them up for the rest of their lives. There should pass a law against gangs that are organized for crime. Then arrest all of them and lock them up for a loooooong time.
Only in Belize…
These gang leaders should be wanted people, because many innocent have lost their lives cause of these Possums. Hang em up, 12 ft off the ground.
Belize is in a sad state, Mr. Barrow have you lost touch with REALITY??????? How could the “leader” of a nation find the time & day to talk with these low life, waste of sperm, rejects of society??? I am out of words…MAY GOD BLESS BELIZE
Of course these monsters are working for those dirty @$$ politicians both parties have their group that are hired to try and embarrass the other side, instill fear in the people and create havoc in the country, it’s all a political game that dirty politicians play even the laws are set up so that these monsters can easily escape prosecution, these politicians have created this monster and refuse to put it back in the bottle, it’s not that they can’t it allows the people to focus on this issue so that the politicians can continue their corruption and pilfering of the country unnoticed, anyone that cannot see this is very naive. Remember, My Legacy B 4 My People.
Belize is in a sad state, Mr. Barrow have you lost ALL touch with REALITY??????? How could the “leader” of a nation find the time & day to talk with these low life, waste of sperm, rejects of society??? I am out of words…MAY GOD BLESS BELIZE
You do not negotiate with terrorists, period! What is PM doing, giving them recognition in open defiance of our laws. Gangs and membership thereof are against the law in Belize. Negotiating with terrorists is giving them acceptance, GSU should have raided the meeting and arrested everybody; another opportunity lossed. Belize is quickly becoming the laughing stock of the civilized world. I wonder what Washington must be saying?
negotiating with criminals! Barrow has gone to a new low. George Bush, Obama and now Felipe Calderon have all refused to negotiate with criminals,. treat criminals like criminals, arrest them and have them face the law..
this same Barrow refuse to meet with the cane farmers in the North and now he refuses to meet with the Maya Alliance in the South.seems like these gangs have something over Barrow. this needs to be explained.
You do not negotiate with terrorists, period! What is PM doing, giving them recognition in open defiance of our laws. Gangs and membership thereof are against the law in Belize. Negotiating with terrorists is giving them acceptance, is GOB negotiating from a weakness standpoint? The GSU should have raided the meeting and arrested everybody; another opportunity lossed to get rid of these …………. Belize is quickly becoming the laughing stock of the civilized world. I wonder what Washington must be saying?
Wow, it seems that Prime Minister Barrow is damned if he DO and damned if he DONT!! I’m not from belize but I read your news posts very often. On some of the news articles about belize gangs, murders, crime and violence you people complain and blame the Prime Minister and for not doing more. And now you complain and blame the Prime Minister for at least trying to do something. What do you all want from the Man??? How about supporting his efforts in trying to curb some of the sensless crime, instead of being so critical?
Dean Barrow you are the most stupid man on earth
Belize has 1 of the most stupid PM of all time in the WORLD …..He’s the cause of all this nonsense….
CAN”T WAIT TIL 2013!!!!
I agree with you lady from states. At least he is trying to address the situation and do something about it. It don’t matter what you do, whether it is good or bad, people will talk and criticize. I personally would wanted to see a more stern approach but its progress none the less and i support his efforts as its better than doing nothing at all. Its easy to criticize people, but actually doing something says a lot. Offer solutions and not skepticism.
I heard that on Friday, some thieves from Belize District went to Belmopan and robbed the chinese shop next to the football field. One of the robbers eliminated. That is the way to go. Wap them one by one…as the song says.
The grocer should be given a Medal since it was allegedly 5 robbers.
lady from the states why don’t u go and give ur obama some heads.. or rather come dah belize and go dah george street so they can blow ur head off.. leave our country alone.. our pm is incompetent in fighting crime.. so stay away from belize.. our beautiful jewel belongs to belizean and not thugs like the PM and gangs.. long live Belize!!
WTF? the pm having a meeting with the gang leader damn!!! is he insane jeez he must have his brains stuck where the sun doesn’t shine you know what i mean with this.