BELIZE CITY, BELIZE – September 15, 2026 – Lasting economic progress can only take root when communities and families feel secure within their own borders. That is the core message from Belize Prime Minister John Briceño, who has reaffirmed that citizen safety remains one of the top priorities of his current administration, while publicly recognizing Police Minister Julius Espat for driving meaningful, measurable improvements across the Belize Police Department.
In a public assessment of the nation’s evolving security landscape and ongoing work to address persistent threats, Briceño outlined the tangible upgrades rolled out by the government over the last two months to strengthen the force’s crime-fighting capacity. Among the key investments are 15 new operational vehicles allocated to the Police Department, a widespread expansion of closed-circuit surveillance cameras placed at high-traffic, strategic locations across the country, and targeted initiatives to boost the morale of frontline police officers.
These investments have already translated into measurable results, Briceño confirmed. The national conviction rate for crimes processed by the Belize Police Department has now reached an unprecedented 80 percent, a new record for the nation. Since the beginning of 2026, law enforcement has also seized large quantities of illegal narcotics being trafficked through the region: 1,372 kilograms of cannabis, 582 kilograms of cocaine, plus additional hauls of methamphetamine, hashish, crack cocaine, and heroin.
Briceño emphasized that these results are more than just statistics — they demonstrate the government’s unwavering commitment to blocking drug cartel activity from operating within Belize’s borders, and protecting all Belizean citizens from the harms of drug trafficking, addiction, and the violent crime that accompanies the illicit drug trade.
This report is adapted from a televised evening news broadcast, with direct transcription of official remarks. The full unedited newscast is available to view via the original publication’s online platform.