Strikes, Looting, Riots Prompt Armed Patrols

Army troops and police were patrolling the streets of Belize’s largest town, Belize City, after youths rioted and looted businesses last week.

Telephone workers went on strike and sabotaged lines, cutting the country off from the rest of the world. Police said bomb threats had forced the evacuation of three schools Monday.

Many residents are upset with Prime Minister Said Musa, saying he hasn’t done enough about issues such as poverty, corruption, unemployment and crime. Belize, a tiny Central American nation of 270,000, is a tourist destination.