Belize Times 100627

Page 1

Sunday, June 20, 2010

THE BELIZE TIMES

1

Jaguar Declared Extinct

SUNDAY JUNE 27, 2010

The much ballyhooed Operation Jaguar, launched in mid-May has now been officially declared extinct, even as the city descends once more into violent lawlessness and unchecked crime. Mr. Barrow lauded the initiative as his own, a bold move to put a stranglehold on crime and control the streets by sheer force and presence. But even as the leader of the nation patted himself on the back and preened in front of the cameras, logical minds maintained that Jaguar could be nothing more than a stopgap measure, a finger in a dyke with a thousand cracks. Political observers speculated that Jaguar was only so much dramatic posturing from the master of grand gestures, with no real substance behind it and no real plan to ensure efficiency and durability. While the operation has for some time now shown signs of faltering badly, it was emphatically placed on the endangered species list with the broad daylight execution of Southside Gang leader Andre Trapp in front of the Court in downtown Belize City

Issue No. 4699

What Next?

PUP to GOB – YOU MUST DO MORE!

In the wake of a National Executive meeting held at Independence Hall on Wednesday, June 23, the People’s United Party issued a scathing release in which it reiterated its position that the issue of crime transcends the political divide, but chastised the Barrow administration for adding ‘to the causes of crime by increasing poverty and unemployment.’ The greatest crisis facing Belize today, stated the release, is ‘undeniably a persistent wave of crime and violence. The death toll from cold-blooded murders has shocked the nation. Citizens have never been as unsafe and unsecure as they are today.’ In a meeting on June 9 between

$1.00 www.belizetimes.bz

Prime Minister Dean Barrow and PUP Leader John Briceno, Barrow had requested the unequivocal support of the PUP for Operation Restore Belize, which had been crafted by the Barrow administration with no input from the Opposition. Even though seeing the document for the first time, Briceno had maintained that the Opposition had the constitutional responsibility to examine the initiative, but he would need to present the document to his Executive for further analysis and input. Following the meeting, political observers speculated that Mr. Barrow had not been sincere in his intentions, since just hours after, the UDP’s news(Continued on page 35)

www.pup.org.bz

with heavy Police presence nearby. Since that time, the fragile seams of the operation have burst wide open, as the defanged Jaguar has been powerless against the spate of murders, shootings, robberies and other major crimes. In just the past week, two teenage girls have been murdered, one shot in the head and the other brutally killed and dumped; a popular cyclist was gunned down and another man lies in the hospital after being riddled by bullets. Gunshots are ringing out all over the city. Belizeans quite justifiably are asking what next. Mr. Barrow spoke most forcefully about Jaguar, but now that the death knell has rung he has gone ominously silent. The leader of the nation has made no public statement to reassure citizens that there is some concrete plan in place to stave off this surge of criminal violence. Just as he patted himself on the back for Operation Jaguar, Mr. Barrow is now lauding the socalled Operation Restore Belize, which so far has shown itself to be nothing more (Continued on page 35)

The BTL Trust is for Real!

See Story on page 35

Murdered & Dumped!

Shoot Hoops NOT Guns 3rd Annual Rennick Reneau Basketball Tournament

See Story on page 35

Leave The Judiciary Alone!


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