Belize Coast Guard

The San Pedro Fire Service has announced a safety outreach for the first quarter of 2026, focusing on community engagement, fire safety awareness, and improved fire response planning. The initiative will run from January through March and aims to strengthen overall community safety across the island.

On December 1st, the Blue Bond and Finance Permanence Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister officially handed over two Perimeter 8 Unmanned Aerial Systems and a full suite of office and operational equipment to the Belize Coast Guard. The handover, valued at BZ$322,705.75, took place in Belize City and is aimed at strengthening the enforcement and protection of Belize’s marine resources.

A routine boat trip that began in Chetumal, Mexico, and was bound for San Pedro Town on November 16th took an unexpected turn when a San Pedro Belize Express water taxi ran aground in shallow waters. The incident occurred near the Belize Coast Guard base shortly after the vessel departed the San Pedro International Terminal en route to Caye Caulker. No injuries were reported, and a second vessel was dispatched to safely transport passengers to the Caye Caulker port.

On November 11th, a validation workshop was held in Belize City for the National Fisheries Enforcement and Conservation Monitoring Strategy and Action Plan. The session emphasized the importance of developing an effective national strategy to protect Belize’s marine resources, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Belize Coast Guard, the Ministry of Blue Economy and Marine Conservation, and the Belize Fisheries Department.

On Wednesday, October 8th, the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) hosted the Tourism Security Law Enforcement Summit in Belize City. The event, which brought together members of Belize's security forces, was held under the theme “Securing Belize: Law Enforcement Integration under the National Tourism Security Strategy 2025–2030.” Representing San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, was Superintendent Egbert Castillo, Officer in Charge of the San Pedro Police Station.

The San Pedro Police Department is stepping up efforts to prevent the recent spike in crime in Belize City from reaching the island. Authorities are implementing proactive strategies and collaborating with other security forces to ensure the continued safety of residents and visitors.

Throughout September, Belizeans witnessed another flare-up in tensions surrounding the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute. Guatemala continues to assert a claim over half of Belize’s landmass, all of its islands (Cayes), and the maritime territory extending from the coast. The latest incidents with the Guatemalan Armed Forces at the Sarstoon River in southern Belize prompted strong protests from the Government of Belize. In response, Guatemala reaffirmed its sovereignty claim over the entire river. Experts further explained that Guatemala’s position extends to all of Belize’s Cayes. Guatemalan officials also discussed possible scenarios in the event that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules in their favor.

Belizeans across the country celebrated the nation’s 44th Independence anniversary with patriotism and pride, from the youngest to the oldest. In San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, the festivities began on the evening of Saturday, September 20th, with official ceremonies and the flag-raising ceremony. The national celebration culminated on the 21st with the traditional Independence Day Parade, showcasing the Belizean spirit under this year’s theme, “Belize @44 Stronger Together, Rising Forever.”