An update on recent security concerns

This past spring there were several robberies in the Cayo District, primarily on the Caracol road. All of the attacks were orchestrated by the same gang of Guatemalan lowlifes, that were infiltrating Belize through the jungle, to avoid detection. This greatly affected tourists visiting the region, and notices put out by the US State Dept. informed potential visitors of the problems and advised against travel to this area of Belize. These notices had an immediate impact on the tourism industry as a whole, but particularly in Cayo, where resorts have experienced an unprecedented level of cancellations and loss of new bookings.

In order to bring the incidents to a quick closure, many of the Cayo resorts immediately pledged considerable amounts of money towards efforts to eliminate this illegal activity. The money was used to gather intelligence, assist law enforcement efforts, and offer rewards for information, both in Belize and Guatemala. It didn't take long to pick up their trail, and a big break came when several of the bandits were video-taped by surveillance cameras in a Cayo store that they had planned to rob, shortly after they commandeered a vehicle from two farmers. When the theives spotted the cameras, they aborted their plan; but the damage to them was done! Numerous victims were able to identify their assailants using these images. Wanted posters popped up everywhere, and intelligence working in Guatemala soon identified the robbers and found where they lived. Within a short time the two ringleaders were in jail in Belize, and the remainder of the group has gone underground in Guatemala. Ever since the first thief was apprehended in July (2006) the group has not commited any crimes in Belize, and it is not likely that they will, as the authorities now have the names and photos of the entire gang.

The Cayo District is as quiet as a mouse, and we can assure you that tourists visiting the area are much safer than many parts of Los Angeles, Chicago or New York City, to name a few! Unfortunately, the State Department has not lifted its advisory, but there are reports that they will shortly. It can't come a moment too soon for Cayo operators.