PM Briceño: Narco-Trafficking Remains Top Security Concern

Earlier this week, the U.S. military launched a deadly strike in the southern Caribbean, targeting a drug-laden vessel that had set sail from Venezuela. Eleven people were killed in the operation. Washington says the hit was necessary because the boat was linked to a designated narco-terrorist group. But that’s not all, the U.S. has now beefed up its presence in the region, deploying at least eight warships and even a submarine to the Eastern Caribbean to clamp down on drug trafficking. So, how are Caribbean leaders reacting to this show of force? We asked Prime Minister John Briceño if this move has raised any red flags.

 

Prime Minster John Briceño

“Well I can’t speak for CARICOM, but of course we’d be concerned. But at the same time, we’re also very concerned about these narco traffickers and we need to find ways so we can keep them where they are and not allow them to be able to come into countries like Belize and to create havoc. And as I’ve said, from when I became, when I was given the privilege to be the prime minister of this country, I’ve always had one of my biggest concerns in narco trafficking. And seeing to see how we can keep them out of Belize as best as we possibly can. We’re spending millions of dollars trying to do that. And we are paying a heavy price for that. But I don’t think that keeping our citizens safe has a price tag.”