By Belize Live News Staff: A state of emergency has been declared for Southside Belize City and parts of the Belize and Cayo Districts following a week of deadly violence.
The declaration comes days after a brutal attack on the Coastal Highway, where gunmen opened fire on a vehicle carrying at least four people near Mile 30. The vehicle crashed into a ditch, and multiple victims were thrown from it. A police mobile was seen leaving the scene with three bodies.
The Coastal Highway links the Belize District to the Stann Creek District, and the attack has heightened fears that the violence is no longer confined to Belize City.
Gunfire has also rattled Belize City neighbourhoods in recent days. Opposition Leader Tracy Panton has accused government of failing to deliver effective security solutions and questioned reports that the National Security Minister and Commissioner of Police held mediation talks with gang leaders while shootings continued.
For many Belizeans, the bloodshed brings back memories of January 8, 2013, when four men were found murdered inside an apartment at the corner of Dean and Plues Streets. Leonard “Ghost” Myers, 30, Albert “Long John” Fuentes, 19, Anthony Henry Perez, 28, and Keino Quallo, 40, were found with their throats cut and multiple stab wounds. That massacre closed businesses and led the US Embassy to warn Americans to avoid Belize City for a time.
Details of the state of emergency, including the specific areas covered, its duration and the powers granted to police, are expected to be released.
