7 News Belize

Belize and Guatemala Discuss Caracol Security Breach
posted (October 14, 2014)
For the past month, issues of national security has been dominating the national discourse. That's following the recent armed incursion which happened at the Valentin Conservation Post, 14 days ago. 40 or so armed Guatemalans from the village of La Rejoya came into Belizean territory in the Caracol Archaeological Reserve, and they threatened to burn down the Conservation Post that was under construction. Then, there was the murder Special Constable Danny Conorquie at the Caracol Site, presumed - but not proven - to be Guatemalan cross border bandits.

Well, Diplomatic Representatives of the Government of Belize met with Guatemala during the long weekend. A press release says that the Belize-Guatemala Join Commission met on Friday and discussed different issues including murder and the incursion inside the Caracol Reserve.

The Belize Delegation was led by the CEO in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs H.E. Alexis Rosado, and included Sen. Lisa Shoman, Representative for the Leader of the Opposition; Gen. David Jones, Commander of the Belize Defense Force; ACP Russell Blackett as Acting Commissioner of Police and Superintendent Marco Vidal, Head of Special Branch. They were received by the New Guatemalan Foreign Minister, H.E. Carlos Raul Morales, and it was witnessed by H.E. Raul Lago, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the Organization of American States.

Each representative of the Belize Delegation met with their Guatemalan counterparts, and according to GOB's statement, quote, "… (Each has) agreed on a way forward for direct collaboration in respect of all security concerns, including coordinated operations among security agencies to combat illegal activities and transnational crime. In this respect, Guatemala reaffirmed its willingness to cooperate and assist in the investigation of the most recent incidents." End quote.

That commitment was one of 12 commitments which both countries agreed to in an agreement signed by Alexis Rosado and Carlos Raul Morales for both Countries. All other commits are aimed at improving Belize Guatemala Relations at the law enforcement level.

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