Forestry officials in Belize are confronting increasingly violent resistance while combating illegal logging operations, with armed confrontations becoming alarmingly routine. Deputy Chief Forest Officer John Pinelo Jr. revealed that enforcement teams now regularly face direct threats, weapon brandishment, and even attempted vehicular assault during their patrols.
The escalation follows successful crackdowns on national land extraction, which has redirected illegal operations to private properties. Pinelo described a particularly dangerous incident where officers responding to reports of illegal activity were nearly rammed by a tractor operator who subsequently drew a firearm on the entire team. Private security personnel monitoring the area were forced to disable the tractor by firing at its radiator before the suspect aimed his weapon at officers.
Despite these hazards, forestry teams continue monitoring remote regions, frequently operating with police support to ensure their safety. All officers now conduct patrols in groups, especially during nighttime operations or in isolated areas. The individual involved in the tractor incident has been formally charged, with forestry authorities advocating for maximum legal consequences for assaults on officers performing their duties.
This dangerous trend highlights the increasing risks environmental protection personnel face while safeguarding Belize’s natural resources against organized illegal logging networks.