Country Snapshot

Population: 266,440 (July 2003 est. Size, comparable to U.S.: slightly smaller than Massachusetts Per Capita GDP, not adjusted for PPP (year): (2002): $3,237.5 Ranking, Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index: 46 out of 133 Defense Expenditure as a percentage of GDP: 1.87% (FY 2000/2001) Size of armed forces: 1,000 (2001) U.S. military personnel present: 2 (2003)

Both of Belize's security forces, the Belize National Police (BNP) and the Belize Defense Force (BDF), receive U.S. security assistance. Most equipment and training for these forces aims to help them stop drugs from transiting Belizean territory en route to the United States.

Counternarcotics

Much U.S. counternarcotics training and equipment comes through the Central America regional fund of the State Department’s International Narcotics Control (INC) program. According to the State Department’s 2000 Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations, INC assistance for Belize -- which totaled $80,000 in 1998 -- aims to “disable drug organizations; improve the flow of counternarcotics intelligence; root out corruption; increase interdiction; and improve Belize’s ability to deter and detect money laundering.”¹

INC funds for the Belize Defense Force have supported the force’s maritime fleet with materials and equipment. A chief target of assistance to the National Police is the “Dragon Unit” (BDU), an elite BNP rapid response force. The State Department’s International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) notes that the Belizean government is interested in creating a BNP Counternarcotics Task Force with INC assistance and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) oversight.²

While it does not permit aerial eradication of marijuana, the Belizean government cooperates with U.S. forces on aerial reconnaissance missions such as Operation Central Skies, and joint maritime interdiction operations like Allied Strength. In the latter operation, a U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment boarded suspicious boats in Belizean territorial waters, and a U.S. helicopter identified marijuana fields for eradication. The 1998 INCSR reports that “efforts continue toward resolving intelligence sharing differences and communications problems encountered during the operation.”⁴

The United States and Belize signed a crime information-sharing agreement in September 1997. A partial maritime counternarcotics agreement, allowing for Belizean “shipriders” aboard U.S. vessels in Belizean waters, went into effect in 1992. An amendment to this agreement allowing overflights of Belizean territory is now under negotiation.⁵

Other training programs

The BDF receives training in peacekeeping, search and rescue, and maritime law enforcement through the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program. According to the 2000 Congressional Presentation, IMET seeks to encourage Belize “to play a positive role in promoting stability in the Caribbean, such as using the Belize Defense Force (BDF) in peacekeeping operations in Haiti.”⁶

“The senior levels of the BDF have received adequate training,” maintains the 1999 Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations, “but the lower ranks are in need of training support. With the departure of the British forces and their assistance the need for IMET funds is more important than ever.”⁷

U.S. Special Forces visit Belize each year for counternarcotics training and Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) exercises. Recent deployments have involved light infantry training and maritime training with the BDF and the police Dragon Unit.⁸

Belize participates frequently in the U.S. Southern Command’s regular multilateral training exercises, such as Fuerzas Aliadas Humanitarian, Fuerzas Aliadas Peacekeeping, and Tradewinds. Belize hosted most of Tradewinds ’98, an exercise that sought to improve Caribbean forces’ ability to respond to natural disasters and security emergencies.⁹

Arms transfers

Belize received thirteen trucks through the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program in 1997, but was offered no EDA in 1998.¹¹  Belize also receives equipment grants by sharing in the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program’s $3 million yearly Caribbean regional fund.

Belize makes small purchases through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) programs, mostly spare parts, small arms, ammunition and supplies.

Sources:

¹ United States, Department of State, Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 2000, (Washington: Department of State: March 1999): 854.

U.S. Embassy Belize, “U.S. Embassy donates equipment to Police Force,” News release, March 24, 1998 <http://www.usemb-belize.gov/896987957510.html>.

² U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, 1998, (Washington: Department of State: February 1999): <http://www.state.gov/www/global/narcotics_law/1998_narc_report/major/Belize.html>.

³ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, 1998.

⁴ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, 1998.

Department of State, Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 2000 855.

⁵ Department of State, Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 2000 854.

⁶ United States, Department of State, Office of Resources, Plans and Policy, Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations, Fiscal Year 1999 (Washington: March 1998): 403-4.

⁷ United States, Defense Department, State Department, "Foreign Military Training and DoD Engagement Activities of Interest In Fiscal Years 1998 and 1999: A Report To Congress," Washington, March 1999: 1.

United States, Defense Department, "Report on Training of Special Operations Forces for the Period Ending September 30, 1997," Washington, April 1, 1998.

⁸ Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, 1998.

United States, Department of Defense, U.S. Southern Command, "Tradewinds 98," Slideshow document, January 7, 1998.

⁹ United States, Department of Defense, Defense Security Assistance Agency, Defense Articles (Including Excess) and Services (Including Training) Furnished Foreign Countries and International Organizations Under the Foreign Military Sales Provisions of The Arms Export Control Act, Chapter 2 (Washington: August 1998).