America's Somalia - Belize

              It has become all to obvious why Belize refuses to sign the United Nations anti-corruption convention.

               Would anybody care to argue that Belize a small country in Central America is a wonderful example of a parliamentary  based democracy?  It is intellectually and factually dishonest to disagree that conditions in Belize were significantly better before the country acheived its independence on September 21st, 1981. The (PUP) Peoples United Party then began its 30 + years of semi-chaotic rule. Now in 2012 the (UDP) United Democratic Party has won its 2nd term in power led by Prime Minister Dean Barrow. Under Barrow’s deceptive and corrupt rule, relative to 30 years prior, conditions have not improved in any significantly measurable way, not even literacy rates. The cost of living has sky rocketed as has the cost of gasoline and electricity. Minimum wages however remain inadequate to support a family and keep the bills paid.

               Organized crime, gang violence and government corruption are out of control, as the gangs high powered weapons by far outnumber and overpower the police or even the (BDF) Belize Defense Force. There are areas of Belize City that are literally controlled by gangs, not even the police can go there without becoming an instant target. Dozens of people walk the streets of Belize all day hitting up every foreigner they see tipically saying “gimme dolla ples”. It gets old quick when you walk from your hotel to the store and back (maybe 15 minutes roundtrip) and 15 people came up to you and asked for either a coke, a dollar or a cigarrette, or all of the above. Imagine giving a dollar to each of  those 15 people, you’ll go broke in no time. So much enemployment, so much iliteracy, so many drugs and guns. Belize City is practically a war-zone on the weekends with the bicycle driveby shootings that Belize has become so known for. An 8 year old girl asleep in their bed, pierced through the heart by a stray 9mm bullet, found lifeless the following day by her mother.

                If your a tourist, the locals will try everything they can to get some cash out of you. The local stores and restaurants will charge at least an extra $1. to whatever you buy. So make sure you know how much something is supposed to cost, and don’t let them get the best of you. Almost everybody you meet regardless of their socio-economic level will be scheming to scam you, so be wary of people who want to be your friend. Apply common sense to most situations and you should be ok. Remember you get what you pay for, so cheaper may not always be better, especially when it comes to food and lodging, as the consequences may be a nasty bout with disentary or being robbed at gunpoint, both of which are very common in the country of Belize.

                In Belize the police intimidate and terrorize the citizens and the tourists. The police arrest who they want, when they want. You might say but they don’t have a warrant? In Belize they dont need one apparently,  groups of masked men (GSU) Gang Supression Unit,  with automatic weapons frequently break down peoples doors in the early hours of the morning beating the resisents and leaving again with whatever they can take. The vast majority would think that these actions are reminiscent of law enforcement in Mogadishu, Somalia not Belize City, but unfortunately its true.

                If you are a foreign investor -please take my advice and don’t invest in Belize. There are professional hustlers at every level of government and industry, who will stop at nothing to defraud you of your personal assets, your company etc. Expert realestate conmen who will give you a great price on a piece of land thats not owned by them, and not for sale. If you need a Belizean lawyer-(liar), you will be out of luck, because most will only accept your money, tell you what you want to hear, and then never do any work, and there is no recourse as the Belize Bar Association doesn’t even have an office. Belize is rich in culture and natural resources. Its people only want what every other human being wants– to be able support their families and pay the bills by way of an honest wage – worthy of a hard days work.