Belize Receives Additional Funding For Crime Fighting

     - Press Release U.S. Embassy, Belmopan, Belize - U.S. Ambassador to Belize Vinai K. Thummalapally and Prime Minister Dean Barrow signed an amendment to the Letter of Agreement for the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) on September 30, 2010.   During the first three years of this initiative, the United States of America has provided US$5,653,300 to the Government of Belize to strengthen and integrate security efforts and improve citizen safety. The U.S. Department of State’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central America and the Caribbean in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Julissa Reynoso, witnessed the signing during her first official visit to Belize.

    CARSI is an integrated, collaborative regional security program that is designed to respond to the region’s threats and build upon existing strategies and programs both on a bilateral and regional basis. It is designed to stop the flow of narcotics, arms, weapons, and bulk cash generated by illicit drug sales, and to confront gangs and criminal organizations.

    CARSI envisions strengthening and integrating security efforts in the region to produce a safer and more secure region where criminal organizations no longer wield the power to destabilize governments or threaten regional and national security and public safety. CARSI is a shared partnership. By collaborating with the governments of Central America, CARSI confronts regional threats with regional solutions, and undermines the ability of criminal organizations to adapt their behaviors and evade justice.

    The signing provides an additional US$2,550,300 in CARSI funding which will be used for following projects:  Improved Border Inspection, $850,000; Improved Policing/Police Equipment, $550,300; Vetted Units, $300,000; and Capacity Enhancement, $850,000.  During the first three years of this initiative, the United States of America has provided US$5,653,300 to the Government of Belize to strengthen and integrate security efforts and improve citizen safety.

    For more information about CARSI, please visit www.state.gov or contact the Public Affairs Section at the U.S. Embassy at 501-822-4011 ext. 4370.