By Belize Live News Staff: A wave of suspected sabotage on undersea internet cables—allegedly by Russian naval activity—is raising red flags across the globe, with experts warning that entire countries could face internet blackouts if attacks continue.
Major telecom companies like Vodafone and Orange have issued a joint statement to NATO, the UK, and EU governments, urging them to treat the undersea cable network as critical infrastructure. These cables carry 95% of global internet and data traffic, linking continents and powering everything from financial systems to emergency communications.
Since late 2023, at least 11 cables have been damaged in the Baltic and North Seas, and surveillance has tracked over 50 Russian vessels in cable-dense regions, triggering growing fears of strategic attacks.
While Belize is far from the epicenters of these incidents, we rely heavily on submarine cables for international connectivity. Any major disruption in these global routes could slow internet speeds, delay financial transactions, and impact international business and tourism operations here at home.
This situation serves as a reminder that digital security isn’t just a “big country” issue. For Belize to protect its future, it must be part of larger conversations around regional cybersecurity, backup protocols, and resilience planning.
