“It’s About Time”, But Not Everyone Agrees With Latest SOE Crackdown

“It’s about time… These criminals are not thinking about us.” That is the reaction of many Belizeans online to the latest State of Emergency (SOE) crackdown. However, it is only one side of the conversation.

Others with opposing views are also voicing strong opinions over it. “Holding a person for up to 30 days? Wrong on so many levels,” one online user said, also questioning whether any individual police officer should have the authority to shut down a business on suspicion alone.

Concerns about police conduct are also surfacing against the backdrop of 2020’s SOE, where a group of men detained argued that their detention was unjustified and unconstitutional, and officers were accused of abusing their power. That user said, “Well-intended, law-abiding citizens have no issues with these SI measures; however, there is valid concern as to whether the majority of police officers can remain civil as they execute their duties. Hoping for a successful operation.”

The SOE was declared on Friday following a violent chain of events that rattled Belize City in just days. A string of shootings, some retaliatory, left residents hyperalert.

Nine adult individuals have since been detained and transported to the Belize Central Prison.

Under Statutory Instrument 50 of 2026, police and BDF soldiers now have expanded powers in the affected zones, including warrantless searches, the authority to detain individuals for up to 30 days, and the power to shut down businesses deemed a threat to public safety.

Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado assured the public that the measure is targeted. “The SOE is specific to certain individuals and does not affect the law-abiding citizen in any way,” he said on Monday.

The State of Emergency is in effect for 30 days and can be extended by the National Assembly.