MIAMI – Belize’s Minister of National Defence and Border Security, Florencio Marin, took center stage at the inaugural Americas Counter Cartel Conference in Miami on March 5, 2026, delivering a pivotal address before high-ranking U.S. officials and international delegates. Minister Marin addressed an audience that included U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and General Donovan, articulating a compelling case for hemispheric unity against organized crime.
In his keynote speech, Minister Marin extended formal gratitude to the United States for orchestrating the critical summit. “On behalf of both the government and citizens of Belize, I convey our profound appreciation to the United States for initiating this exceptionally timely and vital conference,” Minister Marin stated. He specifically acknowledged the Department of War’s leadership in uniting nations under a common objective: fortifying a collective Western Hemisphere response to cartel operations and transnational criminal enterprises.
The Minister painted a stark picture of the operational methods employed by these criminal networks, highlighting their exploitation of major maritime channels and terrestrial routes for narcotics trafficking, illegal arms dealing, and human smuggling. He warned that these activities directly fuel systemic corruption while simultaneously degrading public safety and undermining citizen trust. “Cartels and transnational criminal organizations operate with blatant disregard for national sovereignty and borders,” Marin asserted. “Consequently, our defensive strategy must be equally dynamic, thoroughly coordinated, and unwavering in its resolve.”
Detailing Belize’s multifaceted national security approach, Minister Marin outlined a framework built upon robust border surveillance, enhanced maritime domain awareness, intelligence-driven tactical operations, seamless interagency cooperation, and the ongoing professionalization of the nation’s defense and security apparatus. He further emphasized the indispensable role of solid legal structures, bolstered regional alliances, and deepened multilateral engagement in crafting an effective countermeasure.
A central theme of the address was the imperative for international collaboration. “The notion that any single nation can unilaterally neutralize this pervasive threat is untenable,” Marin contended. “Our Western Hemisphere is intrinsically linked through intricate trade networks, constant human mobility, and a foundation of shared democratic principles. The destabilization inflicted by criminal organizations on one nation inevitably generates destabilizing ripple effects across the entire region.”