Just weeks after Julius Espat stepped into the role of Belize’s Minister of Home Affairs, one of his ministry’s flagship public outreach initiatives has already sparked significant public controversy. The newly launched anti-crime campaign, crafted to deter criminal activity by highlighting the grim, life-ending outcomes of a life of crime, has drawn widespread criticism for its decision to feature explicit, graphic imagery and video content.
The strategy behind the campaign leans into shock value: campaign designers bet that unflinching depictions of violence and criminal consequences would resonate more deeply with at-risk communities than softer, more measured messaging. But this approach has divided observers, even among past leaders of the ministry Espat now leads.
Former Home Affairs Minister Kareem Musa, who held the post before Espat, has publicly pushed back against the campaign’s creative choices. In comments to local reporters, Musa clarified that he would never have signed off on the campaign’s graphic material, while acknowledging that different leaders bring distinct policy and communication styles to the role.
“I would not have done it and I know that different ministers and CEOs have a different style and strategy. So, I don’t want to be extremely critical of it, because in some instances people will say they appreciate the messaging that at the end of the day you end up dead or in jail, so you should not use a life of crime. Personally, I did not like the graphic or images of it and I would not have gone with that,” Musa told reporters.
When asked whether he believed the graphic approach would work as an effective crime deterrent, Musa cast doubt on its impact. “For me no, but you would have to ask the public whether that was effective, but for me no,” he said.
Beyond sharing his critique of the campaign, Musa confirmed that he had recently held a private meeting with the new minister to offer guidance on navigating the complex responsibilities of the Home Affairs portfolio. As the debate over the campaign’s tactics unfolds, public opinion remains split: some residents have voiced support for unfiltered messaging that confronts the human cost of violent crime, while others have raised concerns that the explicit content could be harmful to young viewers and unnecessarily traumatize communities already impacted by violence.
This report is adapted from a transcript of a televised evening news broadcast, with translated Kriol language content rendered using a standardized spelling system.