And the SOS operation taking place in the city is the department's way of suppressing retaliation after the death of Kiffer Mckenzie.
Despite the state of emergency recently ending, we asked the Minister if he believes they will have another one soon to which he said that once they need them, they will have them.
Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs
"But yes, operations are happening all over the city. I think that you realize that after that murder that happened in Albert Street, we anticipated that there would be retaliations. We anticipate that there would be tensions in the city. And we need to do operations to ensure that we keep the peace. It's not an easy job to do. And the police have a strategy in place, the police have a plan in place. And those plans include doing strategic operations around the city and around the country. It's not only happening in Belize City, it's also happening around the country. And those operations will continue as long as we feel that it is needed."
Reporter
"Do you see us getting to a point again of calling another SOE, especially due to the past weekend with everything that happened?"
Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs
"SOEs are never the first thing that comes in mind for me. SOE is supposed to be one of the last things that we do. So we are doing everything possible to ensure that operations are happening, to ensure that we can have those tensions that are happening in the city reduced. And if that happens, then there will be no need for an SOE. However, if that doesn't work and we have to do an SOE, then I think that the Commissioner of Police will advise that we do one. And I take advice from the Police High Command. And whenever we need them, we will have them."
Mira refused to answer anything pertaining to his family matters or the Ministry of Defence Smart Stream payments to his family-owned businesses when he was Minister.
