As digital adoption surges across Central America’s Caribbean nation of Belize, local officials have issued an urgent warning about the evolving risk of AI-fueled cybercrime, bringing together domestic stakeholders and international partners from the U.S. and Taiwan to map out a coordinated strategy for strengthening the country’s online defenses.
From compromised social media profiles to sophisticated financial scams and mass theft of personal identifiable information, cyber threats have been rising steadily across the globe. But the spread of artificial intelligence tools has drastically lowered the barrier for malicious actors to launch more convincing, large-scale and damaging attacks, a shift that has caught the attention of Belize’s digital governance leadership.
Speaking at a collaborative gathering focused on addressing this new security landscape, Jose Urbina, CEO of Belize’s Ministry of E-Governance, outlined the dual challenge the country faces: defending against AI-enhanced cyberattacks while also leveraging AI’s capabilities to build more robust domestic security systems. He noted that bad actors are rapidly adopting AI tools to expand their attack surface and penetrate digital networks that Belize uses for everything from consumer banking to government services.
Urbina also highlighted a longstanding cultural barrier holding back Belize’s digital sector: a widespread lack of confidence in homegrown tech talent and products. “We have excellent developers and outstanding digital solutions right here in the country, but many Belizeans automatically discount local products in favor of offerings from international companies,” he explained. “We need to shift this mindset, embrace our domestic expertise and invest in the capacity we already have at home.”
The collaborative workshop, made possible through partnerships with the U.S. and Taiwanese governments, brought in leading international cybersecurity and AI experts to share cutting-edge knowledge with local stakeholders. Urbina emphasized that building strategic international relationships with countries that have already navigated emerging cyber threats is critical for Belize to close knowledge gaps and prepare for evolving risks.
Beyond confidence gaps and knowledge gaps, Belize also faces a major brain drain challenge that undermines its cybersecurity capacity. Urbina confirmed that while domestic interest in cybersecurity careers is growing, a steady outflow of skilled talent remains a persistent problem: many Belizean students who pursue advanced tech training abroad choose to stay in other countries for better career opportunities. To build a sustainable, resilient digital security ecosystem, Urbina said, the Belizean government must prioritize creating attractive local professional opportunities to retain skilled workers and lay the groundwork for a stronger digital future.
With more Belizeans moving their daily lives online—from remote work and social connection to digital banking and government services—Urbina stressed that investing in cybersecurity capacity and skills is no longer a discretionary priority for the country, but an essential foundation for protecting citizens and supporting continued digital growth.