Opposition Leader Tracy Panton is questioning the Government’s response to escalating gun violence, criticising its reported mediation with gang leaders and calling for Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado to step down.
The mediation session was held Saturday morning at the House of Culture in Belize City, following Friday’s quadruple homicide on the Coastal Plains Highway.
The session was attended by National Security Minister Michel Chebat, Commissioner of Police Dr Richard Rosado, individuals affiliated with gangs, mediators and police.
In a social media post on Saturday evening, Panton pointed to what she described as a contradiction in the Government’s approach, noting that it had previously criticised similar efforts while in Opposition.
“…an approach this Administration vehemently criticized during its 13 years in Opposition,” she wrote.
Panton questioned the effectiveness of the mediation efforts, noting that reports of gun violence continued even as the discussions were taking place, with further reports of gunfire in Belize City that night.
“Where is the urgent, coordinated law enforcement response this Administration claimed it had ready to arrest violent crime?” she asked.
While acknowledging that dialogue has a role to play in addressing crime, Panton argued that it must be accompanied by effective policing, credible investigations and accountability. “Protecting our young people, and every Belizean life, must be treated as an urgent national priority,” she wrote.
Panton said the continued violence was placing an additional burden on families already struggling with the rising cost of living. She cited the Statistical Institute of Belize’s report of a 4.7% increase in consumer prices in September compared with the same period last year.
Panton also called for ComPol Rosado to step down, saying restoring public confidence in the police would require urgent action and accountability for what she described as corruption and abuse of authority.
“It is time for Rosado to go,” she wrote.
