One month ago, 31 BDF soldiers and 20 Coast Guardsmen departed Belize en route to Jamaica. They went for special training ahead of a possible deployment to Haiti as a part of a multinational force. But they aren't headed to Haiti just yet. These security force members have returned to Belize and are awaiting the go-ahead. They landed this evening, and the BDF's Brigadier General was at the airport to welcome them back. He explained a bit about the training and the fact that there is the possibility that even after all the preparedness, these soldiers may not even go to Haiti.
Brig. Gen Azariel Loria, Commander, BDF
"As I understand it, the training that they underwent, it's mostly for to safeguard critical infrastructure on how to confront the the the gangs in Haiti. They also conducted quite a few amount of human rights training, the Geneva Convention and how to approach them, respecting their their human rights and dignity in the area of the sea saga. I think that they did something a bit different that I could recall."
"Perhaps the training was a bit more specialised, but all in all, and in principle the Government of Belize supported such training and and that deployment to Haiti. We continue to prepare our troops. We have we have drafted a ten point document. Well, the the ministry and then points on, on those points specify under what conditions we are going to deploy to Haiti."
"And so far the training aspect of it is something that is being accomplished at the moment. We still have to wait and see."
Reporter:
"I know you guys are waiting for the for the word after your draft, The ten point proposal, waiting for the word to say, yes, we need you. Is there a chance, though, that they will never call for you guys? And while you did this training a while, you're prepared. You may not end up in Haiti."
Brig. Gen Azariel Loria, Commander, BDF
"Yes. As people say, all options are on the table you know. In my case as the commander of the Belize Defense Force I'm just ensuring readiness of of my troops. And likewise, see, the commandant of the Coast Guard is doing the same. Ensuring readiness, and that whenever if the government of Belize says yes, go ahead and deploy, we have to ensure that they are ready training wise, the welfare and administration and everything is okay, that they have all their allowances, their medicals, if they are injured in theatre, that they will be looked after."
"All of that is what we and we are looking after their welfare and administration and it is incumbent on us to signal the Ministry of National Defense and the Government of Belize's say that we are ready, but at this point in time we are in the process of getting ready."
They returned on the Canadian Forces Aircraft.
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