Belize Attends Counter Cartel Conference in Florida

Minister of National Defence and Border Security, Florencio Marin, delivered a key address at the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference in Miami today.

Speaking before U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, General Donovan, and other heads of delegations, Minister Marin expressed Belize’s appreciation for the United States convening the conference.

“On behalf of the government and people of Belize, I extend sincere appreciation to the United States for convening this timely and important conference,” Marin said. “We thank the leadership of the Department of War for bringing us together around a shared purpose: strengthening our collective response to cartel activity and transnational crime across the Western Hemisphere.”

Minister Marin noted that criminal networks exploit key maritime and overland routes to traffic narcotics, weapons, and human beings. “These networks fuel corruption and erode the safety and confidence of our citizens. Cartels and transnational criminal organizations do not respect our borders. Our response must be equally adaptive, coordinated, and resolute,” he said.

Marin detailed Belize’s comprehensive security strategy, which combines strong border protection, maritime domain awareness, intelligence-led operations, interagency collaboration, and professionalization of defense and security forces. He also stressed the importance of legal frameworks, regional partnerships, and multilateral cooperation.

“No nation can confront this threat alone,” Marin said. “The Western Hemisphere is interconnected by trade, travel, and shared democratic values. When criminal networks destabilize one country, the effects ripple across us all.”