Political Rivals, PUDP, Find Common Ground on Crime

The United Democratic Party says Belize cannot arrest its way out of the current crime crisis. At a press conference today, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton argued that guns and gangs are only symptoms of much deeper problems, including poverty, corruption and growing distrust in law enforcement. The UDP outlined its own plan of action but also backed several measures announced by the Briceño administration on Sunday. Panton says the Opposition is prepared to put politics aside and work with the government to restore safety and public confidence.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“Guns and gangs are symptoms of a deeper crisis. We must first confront distrust in the Belize Police Department’s leadership. Rampant corruption in our public institutions, criminal elements crossing our borders from neighboring countries, the growing elicit trade in drugs and ammunition and a widening economic divide that deepens family poverty. We must tackle both the violence and the condition that continues to sustain it. In 2025, ninety-one people were murdered in Belize. That is just a little over twenty-one murders for every hundred thousand people. By the end of June this year the unofficial count had already reached fifty-eight murders. That is the last count that has been officially reported. At this pace, the 2026 murder count will be worst than 2025. Most importantly since this administration took office of last year, the minister responsible for national security and police has changed three times, we are now on the fourth. Belizeans deserve steady accountability leadership, not a revolving door.”

 

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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