Politicians and gangs in Belize – a questionable alliance

views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.

By Imani Fairweather:  Political parties are organizations and any such entity have codes of conduct and ways of operating which becomes norms, sometimes unacceptable practices which they can’t or don’t want to readily see.  

One questionable practice in several Caribbean countries has been the incorporation of known criminal and gang elements in the campaigning machinery of political parties. A gang member’s influence and reach, despite it being based on criminality and questionable practices, is sought and justified.  

What we see in the region mirrors the mafia’s entanglement with politicians and influential people in USA in the 60s. It’s the story of garrison communities in Jamaica which has gripped political, economic and social life in many electoral constituents in that country. As much as it is not a novelty it is unacceptable politics. I first became aware of the parallel in Belize when I returned home in 1994 after living in Jamaica for four years.  

Walking on North Front Street past Majestic Alley to get to work I had to walk past and say good morning to Junie Balls, a reputed gang lord who sat just outside City Hall. His mutually beneficial relationship with the Prime Minister at that time was widely known.  

If we were fuzzy about the practice, an aspirant for leadership in the country’s current ruling political party recently broke it down for us in small change and gave us details on how she relied on the insight, blessing and support from a recently murdered gang leader in her constituency.  

Her comments astonished some. I would say we are either in denial or know how fuh play the fool quite well.  

This highly questionable and unacceptable practice will only change when those who form the inner circle of the political parties i.e. those who attend party council meetings, call for better because they see how these electoral tactics lead to failed state status – then maybe we will see a shift in thinking.  

However, if winning at ALL cost is their primary focus it is Belize which loses.  

If there is no one among them who can encourage an honest internal conversation, debate and a re-thinking of their practice they at best completely lack moral compass.  

Its time they did better. 

 

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