We've heard about Haitians, Cubans and Venezuelans being smuggled through Belize - and understandably because of tremendous economic and social pressures n their countries. Well, tonight, you can add Jamaicans to that.
On Saturday a cruise ship named Marella entered Belize via the Belize Seaport this morning, and 9 Jamaicans disembarked without authorization. A police report says Tourism Village security could not detain them, and they fled into a waiting van.
But, at least 7 of them were caught not long after on Gill Street in Belize City according to our reports. Police believe they are part of a human smuggling operation.
We asked the Commissioner about this new development today:
Jules Vasquez
"We know that some Jamaicans entered the country on a cruise ship this weekend and then absconded. What now is the status? I think it was 5 or 8 of them, something like that."
Chester Williams, Commissioner Of Police
"That matter is currently being dealt with by the police and immigration department. Yes, these people are at a secure location and interviews are being carried where they are concerned and at the end immigration will decide exactly what to do with them."
Jules Vasquez
"But if they are Caricom nationals who have a right to enter Belize for 6 months, why would they have absconded?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner Of Police
"Well, because perhaps their intent was not to visit, but to use Belize as that route to get north. So, we're looking at that."
Jules Vasquez
"We are used to Haitians doing this and we understand that the pressure they are under. But what about why would Jamaicans do this?"
Chester Williams, Commissioner Of Police
"I don't know how to answer that. But perhaps they might see that it is easier from Belize to Mexico and then go over to the US. You would know that Jamaicans fit in well in our communities and so they look like us and so they believe it might be easier that way."
