Belize’s Jungles and Coastlines Used as Cartel Routes

Drug cartels and criminal networks that have long used Belize’s jungles, rivers, and coastlines as trafficking corridors are now facing a more united front after Belize and Mexico reaffirmed their cooperation at a high‑level military conference in Belize City on Thursday.

At the 21st Belize-Mexico Border Commanders Conference, officials discussed coordinating their militaries. This collaboration will combat border-based organised crime on land, at sea, in the air, and through intelligence sharing.

The event opened with a keynote address from the Minister of National Defence Florencio Marin Jr, who noted that Mexico was the first country to recognise Belize’s independence in 1981. He later issued a call to action against criminal organisations that often target the terrain shared by Belize and Mexico.

“Standing isolated against such a threat is not an option,” Marin said. “To defeat a networked adversary, we must operate as an interconnected, seamless network.”

The meeting brought together senior commanders from the Belize Defence Force and Belize Coast Guard, alongside counterparts from Mexico’s army and navy.

At the end of the meeting, both countries signed official documents in English and Spanish, confirming their agreement to work more closely together and coordinate their military and security operations more effectively.