Belize PM denies bargaining with gang leaders

Belize Prime Minister Dean Barrow has insisted that his administration did not negotiate with known gang leaders following last week’s murder of four people whose bodies were found in an apartment building.

Prime Minister Barrow has also distanced his administration from reports that the gang members were paid BDZ$40,000 (US$20,000) to maintain peace and not retaliate.

Last week, Prime Minister Barrow told reporters that he led a delegation, which included National Security Minister John Saldivar for talks with the leaders of the George Street Gang and that an arrangement had been reached for them to leave the area and not seek to retaliate against people they believe committed the murders.