Amid escalating regional tensions stemming from U.S. counter-narcotics operations, Belize has issued a compelling appeal for maintaining the Caribbean as a demilitarized zone. Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca articulated his nation’s position on December 5, 2025, emphasizing peaceful resolution mechanisms over military confrontation.
Minister Fonseca explicitly stated Belize’s diplomatic stance: “Our fundamental position maintains that the Caribbean must persist as a zone of peace. We vigorously advocate against any militarized interventions within Caribbean waters, which would inevitably destabilize regional economies and adversely impact vital tourism sectors.”
While acknowledging the severe challenges posed by transnational drug trafficking networks, the minister highlighted Belize’s ongoing collaboration with U.S. authorities through intelligence sharing and border security cooperation. He stressed that military action represents an counterproductive approach to addressing complex criminal enterprises.
The diplomatic intervention follows confirmation by U.S. officials of twenty-two separate maritime engagements in Caribbean and Eastern Pacific waters since September, resulting in significant casualties. Particularly concerning to observers has been the reported employment of ‘double tap’ tactics—where secondary strikes target survivors of initial engagements—raising serious allegations of extrajudicial operations and potential violations of international humanitarian law.
Belize’s foreign policy approach prioritizes multilateral dialogue, intelligence coordination, and cooperative security measures as the most effective paradigm for addressing transnational criminal organizations while preserving regional stability and economic vitality.