On November 3, 2026, the United Democratic Party (UDP) of Belize rolled out a comprehensive multi-pronged public safety framework, centered on a mandate to launch a dedicated gun violence task force within 30 days to reverse the nation’s upward crime trajectory. Outlined formally by Opposition Leader Tracy Panton, the cross-agency task force will unify personnel and operational resources from the Belize Police Department, Belize Defence Force, Coast Guard, Customs, and Immigration agencies to target the cross-border smuggling networks that fuel the flow of illegal firearms, unregistered ammunition, and other contraband across the country. Panton emphasized that the initiative would not only target low-level violent offenders but also dismantle the full hierarchical structure of organized criminal networks, stating, “We must apprehend both the gunmen and those who facilitate and finance organized crime. We must pursue the suppliers, the organizers, the financiers, and the facilitators behind trafficking.” The policy proposal goes beyond external criminal networks to address potential systemic vulnerabilities, with provisions mandating fully independent investigations into all credible allegations of public official complicity in illicit activity. Panton stressed that no public servant, including senior members of police high command, would be granted immunity from formal scrutiny as part of the accountability measures. The UDP’s broader public safety strategy also prioritizes community-centered crime prevention, requiring local neighborhood associations and grassroots groups to be core co-designers of local safety solutions rather than passive stakeholders consulted only after policy decisions are finalized, alongside targeted support for at-risk youth and vulnerable families to reduce gang recruitment pipelines. To strengthen law enforcement retention and performance, the plan also includes sweeping improvements to police working conditions, transparent pathways for job security and fair promotion, and expanded access to on-duty fitness resources and dedicated mental health support for frontline officers.