Minister Chebat Defends Decision to Meet Known Gang Members

Even before government declared a State of Emergency, senior officials were already trying a different approach behind closed doors. On Saturday, Commissioner of Police Doctor Richard Rosado and National Security Minister Michel Chebat met with known gang leaders in Belize City for what authorities described as an intervention session. But amid mounting violence, the meeting has triggered tough questions. What did each side bring to the table, were any promises made, and was it wise for the minister responsible for national security to sit down with known gang figures? We put those questions directly to him.

 

Michel Chebat, Minister of National Security

“We will work to implement legislation that will prohibit car rental companies from renting vehicles to persons who are not the designated driver of the vehicle and to mandate that they keep proper records of the drivers who rent, including keeping proper picture IDs. In addition, we intend to travel to El Salvador to learn from their experience in fighting crimes. Let me take this opportunity to address the intervention session that the Commissioner of Police and I had with individuals identified as being part of known gangs in Belize. The objective was to determine the factors that have led to the upsurge of criminality we have witnessed this past month. While some may criticize the move, including the Leader of the Opposition, we must be able to communicate if we will have any real chance of preventing further violence and discovering ways to reduce crimes so as to prevent further loss of life. Let me be clear, we did not offer and neither will we be paying anyone to refrain from committing any criminal act. That was a UDP plan and one that has been dismantled by this administration. We will work to continue confront all those committing crimes with the extent of the law. We must and shall do everything we can to prevent our young people from continuing to kill each other. The citizens of our country deserves to live in safe communities, and we will do all that is possible to ensure that.”

 

Minister Chebat insist that Saturday’s meeting with known gang figures was intended only to understand the recent surge in violence.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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