Country Reports on Terrorism 2008 - Belize

The government of Belize cooperated with the United States by sharing information and assistance to the extent of its limited resources. The Belize Defense Force (990 total personnel) has operated a Counterterrorism Platoon (Belize Special Assignment Group comprising 35 persons) for approximately two years to perform operations within the territory of Belize and its territorial waters in support of civil authorities. Belize's borders are extremely porous and it remained easy to change identity by purchasing stolen passports. The country is sparsely populated and has limited human and technological resources to monitor individuals and groups residing within or transiting through its borders.