Belize Urges ‘Zone of Peace’ Amid U.S.–Venezuela Tensions

With tensions rising in the region amid the United States’ fight against alleged drug-trafficking networks, Belize’s Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca is urging that the Caribbean remain a “zone of peace.”

“Belize’s position is that we want the Caribbean to remain a zone of peace,” Fonseca said. “We certainly would want to urge strongly against any military action in the Caribbean Sea. That is not, in our view, in the interest of anyone. That will destabilise our economies, create problems with tourism and so many other issues.”

Fonseca acknowledged the very real threat posed by narco-trafficking but emphasised that military intervention is not the answer. “We understand that there’s a serious problem with narco trafficking and drug trafficking, and Belize works very closely with the United States government to address that issue along our borders. But we certainly hope that there is no military action taken in the Caribbean,” he noted.

When asked whether Belize is concerned that U.S. strikes could reach its waters, Fonseca said the concern is real but called for cooperation instead of force. “The best way to approach that issue is through dialogue, cooperation, sharing of information.”

Since September, U.S. officials have confirmed twenty-two separate boat attacks in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, with a reported death toll of at least eighty-seven people.

Among the incidents was an alleged “double tap” strike, where survivors from a disabled vessel were reportedly targeted in a follow up attack. The tactic has fueled accusations of extrajudicial killings and possible war crimes.