Ministers meet gangs on Sunday
The violence spurred the government to meet. On Sunday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow met at ITVET with several ministers and this morning a press conference was called. Firstly, the press savvy prime minister was present at both but it was left to the Minister of National Security, John Saldivar to deal with the crime. Saldivar’s statement was short and the question and answer period was shorter. The significant information to come up was that since Sunday, there are more police on the ground. But the most incredible statement has to be that the gang truce is holding. News Five’s Jose Sanchez has a look at both events.
Jose Sanchez, Reporting
Following the four murders in the former capital, the government held an emergency meeting at the ITVET on Freetown Road on Sunday. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, Michael Finnegan, Boots Martinez and John Saldivar attended the gang meeting.
Dean Barrow
“The minister will speak to you.”
John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
“I think that the news of all that has been happening over the weekend has been greatly exaggerated. As far as the statistics go, we have four murders; one the execution of Mister Pinky Tillett. We are satisfied with the containment and we will have details about that in our press conference.”
John Saldivar
Reporter
“Will the state be making any authoritative moves to contain what people feel will be an outbreak of a gang war?”
John Saldivar
“We are confident that our measures will be adequate and we’ll announcement them tomorrow.”
And at Monday’s press conference, the question was raised of whether or not the gang truce was on life support since founding leaders of George Street and Taylor’s alley have lost their lives to the weekend gun violence.
Jose Sanchez
“You mentioned the gang truce. Whether the leaders who were part of this truce were killed in murders or perhaps accidentally as the investigations might still show at the hands of the police. What is the status of the gang truce? Is there still a negotiation being that the leaders themselves have been shot or are dead? Where is that now?”
John Saldivar
“In terms of gang truce we did have a meeting yesterday with I believe eleven leaders of various groups around the City. We are confident that the gang truce is holding among those leaders and we are still currently looking to dialogue with the other remaining groups that were not present at the meeting yesterday, but we are confident that aside from what has happened over this weekend, the gang truce is holding and persons who are a part of that truce are committed to the truce.”
Jules Vasquez, 7 News
“These Ghost Town and George Street are considered and as far as Taylor’s Alley…”
John Saldivar
“And as far as I know, Ghost Town was there, George Street was absent and I believe Gill Street was absent—those are the only two that were not there. But as I have said to you, what I have gathered from those that were there is that they are holding to their part of the bargain. As I also said earlier, with this operation in place, full force will be brought down on those who are not participating.”
Jules Vasquez
“So is the work program—I understood the original premise of the work program which started in September which is the gang truce is was that hold down the violence and employment will maintain; again fourteen murders in half a month. Apparently the violence is not being so held. On what basis do we continue? Is there some metric basis that we can say well so much work is being accomplish and so much is being paid thus we continue the truce?”
John Saldivar
“It is clear that a majority of those involved in the truce are maintaining their word and their commitment to the truce. It has already also been made clear to those who are breeching the truce that they will not be allowed to be a part of the work program.”
Fitzroy Yearwood
Inspector Fitzroy Yearwood, Police Press Officer
“The truce is holding, but we have to be realistic. These people have been involved in rivalries before. And yes we have established from the beginning that not all groups in the City were on board with the truce. We have made it clear that those that are involved in the truce have reassured us and pledged their commitment in a meeting yesterday and those that will not commit to being involved in the truce, then we will have to go after them likewise. If you believe that the small ones will splinter off, when they do splinter off, we will have to deal with them also. The law is out there and we still have to protect the law abiding citizens of this nation.”
Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.
They need to LAY DOWN THE LAW!!! and ENFORCE IT TO THE FULLEST!!! No more hand-holding.
We ALL have to LIVE WITHIN THE LAW.
Great job fixing that truce. The gangs are very trustworthy now. They may need some BDF weapons, let them when they can break into the armory.
Next cut a deal with the drug cartels not to come to Belize, just like the gangs you got their respect.
This useless gov. And pm will be doing the same thing he has been doing since he has been in office Nothing he will sit and hold hands with the gang members and have a sing along Bring back the hanging penalty bring it back now you useless impotent pm. Barrow.
TRUCE— n
1. an agreement to stop fighting, esp temporarily
2. temporary cessation of something unpleasant
3.a suspension of fighting especially of considerable duration by agreement of opposing forces :
The word TRUCE clearly means “Temporary”. So are we to be happy with a temporary solution to the crime situation in the City? Crime is a way of life for these types of gangs. How can the truce be holding when both leaders of the gangs have been killed. Its like taking tylenol for a headache. The relief is only temporary. As soon you digest the tylenol and get it out of your system the headache is back. You need to deal with the source of the headache. The headache is just a symptom. The cause could be a clogged artery or high blood pressure. I wonder if the PM of Minister Saldivar would like to live with a headache for 10 years, and only be satisfied with taking pain killers to relieve the pain every now and then.
What about the inocent people this @&& killed? They have more rights because they stand up to the goverment? What message are we sending to the young generation?
I think we should advocate for searchings with K9 Unit — BDF and Police of the entire gang areas — House by house — brick by brick —– this would be the most effective way of getting weapons and drugs out of those areas. Block off the entire area and send as much BDF and Police as possible in those areas to search……
Having check points dont help — darn when the hell will the top brass of the Police and Govt learn or realize that — by the way that so call press conference was as the persons conducting it — very confusing — Ministers did not have anything worth- while to say — they still dont have a comprehensive plan to deal with the crime in our nation — they are so out of ideas — they dont know $#it!!!! — Or is it that they dont have the balls to deal with the criminals—-leaves me to wonder if the former Mayor of the city was right about that balls thing!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone is cutting off the heads of the gangs, a great strategy.
Is it Hon. Saldivar’s plan? If so, he’s a stronger leader than I expected.
BUT DON’T MEET WITH THE REMNANTS OF THE GANGS, EXCEPT TO TELL THEM THE FARCE IS OVER, AND THEY WILL BE CRUSHED UNTIL THEY ARE ALL GONE FROM THE STREETS OF THE JEWEL.
Government tolerate this nonesence. Only in Belize national gov’t meet with outlaws. Can’t even find time to meet with law abiding citizens. Just show who and what matters to mean Dean
why hold a press conference if u aren’t going to tell us anything??? SMH wat an unwise gov. there was a time in belize when evidence had to be brought to court to prove you were a member or affiliate of a gang when dealing with gang related crimes. now…gang members are on national TV claiming the leadership titles, meeting with the PM???? what a mess!! prime minister….you mek yo bed now lay in it! and step up to the plate and address your country!!
Gangs demanding more payments. We are broke, wake up barrow. Your tactics has failed you. Sit down and think something better.
The biggest mistake that GOB did was to ever sit and negotiate with criminals! This is the end result! Once you negotiate with individuals you give them the upper hand and they can hold the country and GOB hostage!
Why is GOB negotiating with these criminals?Stop giving these idiots power.
Like they say in spanish *NO TIENE LA CULPA EL INDIO SI NO EL QUE LO HASE COMPADRE*.
Well they violrnce will continue as long as borrow is the leader. Isnt his firm responsible for representimg the worst of the worst criminals in our country. What kind of leader is borrow.