But, as you heard the General say, the Guatemalan soldier being detained in Belizean territory doesn't hurt the relationship between both sides because of this new agreement.
What does hurt the relationship are the fatal shootings of Guatemalan civilians by the BDF – four since 2012. The most recent case is Tomas Desdicho Ramirez is still under investigation. Today we asked Jones about the present status between the armed forces of both countries, and he said that tensions are high:
General David Jones - Commander, BDF
"I had a meeting with the Guatemalan General just about 3 weeks ago, in Guatemala, just about 2 days after the actual shooting of Mr. Tomas. He had expressed to me that yes, shooting incidents have occurred, however, it's only Guatemalans who have been killed. I expressed to him that yes, it is indeed that our soldiers were involved in the shootings. Guatemalans have been killed, but the OAS have always verified where the incidents occurred, what actually transpired, and vindicated the soldiers that it was always in self-defence. We're trying to move forward now from the tensions because in late 2012 there were tension, 2013 the tensions continue, and it is reaching a point where we don't want serious escalation between the military of Guatemala and the Belize Defence Force."
Daniel Ortiz
"It always happens that it's a Guatemalan who encroaching on Belizean Territory. It's also always them who gets shot, and it's always in self-defence. Now, the public may be wondering why is it that we always have to be the ones to give and take, and to sort of bend over when it is them who are always in this illegal activity.
General David Jones - Commander, BDF
"It's a fair question, and a fair thought, and it's fair for the Belizeans to be asking this question. All the incidents that have occurred, which have transpired in fatal shootings, it showed that the Belizeans acted in self-defence. It's always only the Guatemalans coming across into Belize. This is one of the exact discussions I had with the Guatemalan General just about 3 weeks ago, and I've expressed to him that one of the best solutions for this is for them to encourage their people to stop coming over into Belize. That will solve the problem, then our BDF will not have any encounters with them. However, we need to be mindful that these people living over on that side of the border are very poor, are driven by poverty, they can't fend for themselves over in their own country. And our lush jungle and forest has minerals and resources, and they see some form of livelihood over here."
And so, while both sides work to smoothen things out, today, the media got a chance for the first time to get a reaction from General Jones about the conduct of the officers being investigated by international objective parties. He told us he stands by the action of his officers, who he believes acted professionally:
General David Jones - Commander, BDF
"Both governments have agreed to an independent investigator and there was an American gentleman as expressed by the Foreign Minister last night on the newscast. Both governments agreed to bring him in to have some sort of transparency; to let the Guatemalans see that we are not trying to hide anything and we want them to have an independent investigator to inform them of what actually transpired."
Daniel Ortiz
"There are those who may say, why is it that we are not using our own resources, our own police, which has been doing it for decades, where our citizens are concerned. Why is it that it is so special that in the situation where a Guatemalan was shot that outside influence must be brought in to give a perception of transparency?"
General David Jones
"Our police have already done its investigation; that may not have gone to the public already. However, it is an incident that's between two countries between Belize and Guatemala. We do have tensions; we are trying to resolve the problems we have between the two countries and so it is very prudent that our government has agreed to show good faith that we are not here to hide anything. I have trust and faith in my soldiers that they acted in self-defence; that's my stance and I have no fear of any independent investigator coming in Belize with that incident because I trusted in what they soldiers did and I stand by them."
Apart from the Guatemalan authorities who are closely watching the investigation, another official, chosen by both countries will conduct his own inquiry. Edward Hamdi, PhD., who is the Director of the International Forensics Science Laboratory and Training Center in the United States, arrived in Belize yesterday to assist as an objective investigator.
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