7 News Belize

The Narrative of The Capture, Revisited
posted (March 3, 2015)
So what did really happen that led to the capture of the boat? Last night with footage form PGTV we traced the slightly strange events that transpired on that Saturday evening. Tonight, now that we have the Captain's input we repeat that story:

Daniel Ortiz reporting
A group of 40 persons, which included Boat Captain, Guillermo Avila; his 2 crew members; a camera man from PGTV, and the remaining being men and women from the Orange Walk Districts, got into the vessel "Dore".

After everyone and their belongings were inside, the vessel left the PG Pier. Out on the Sarstoon River appeared calm, and few miles more toward inland, the Belizeans encountered the Guatemalan military who were on a river patrol.

Some of the group socialized with the military, who appeared friendly, and very much at ease around the Belizeans and their cellphone cameras. Even though they had weapons drawn, they appeared non-threatening. A few of the Belizeans boarded their boats, and got closer in proximity.

Eventually, these 2 Guatemalan military boats allowed the Belizean vessel to continue making its way. All the while that Captain Avila piloted his boat, the Guatemalans kept a watchful eye. The Belizean vessel traveled further inland on the river for an undetermined amount of time afterwards, and eventually, the expedition arrives at the desired location, were they could no longer travel by boat.

Everyone made their way off the boat, while the ever watchful Guatemalan military kept an eye on the proceedings. With their flags at the ride, the team of 40 made their way over to the border marker on foot. After what appeared to be a short walk, the group arrived at the Gracias A Dios marker.

The Volunteers started their cleaning efforts, and shortly after, a bit of masonry was done to prepare the border marker so that the "Belize" plaque could have been placed on it.

Giovanni De La Fuente - Leader, Northern Territorial Volunteers
"As you can see we are here today to commemorate the installation of a Belize plaque on this monument and we have a group of brave Belizeans here that brave the weather, the route and thank God we have arrived safely and we are currently in the process of installing this bronze plaque that will forever let people know that this is the initiation of Belize southernmost point. So, once again, February 28th, 2015 - plaque installation ceremony, Gracias A Dios."

Robert Clinton - Participant, Northern Territorial Volunteers
"I am here to represent all the Belizeans in the diaspora who were unable to make it to the ceremony of the installation of this plaque, which will represent the southernmost point of Belize."

Another amount of time passed, and the men finally finished with the preparations on the marker, The adhesive was finally placed to stick the plaque in.

Finally, the plaque was installed, and the Volunteers made sure to note its significance with the ceremonial singing of the National Anthem.

All the time, the Guatemalan military was ever watchful, and according to reports from the volunteers, the boat captain even shared refreshments with the soldiers, to further reiterate that they all came in friendship. Eventually, the Volunteers then board their vessel, and made their way back to the mouth of the Sarstoon River, with the military following them, the same way they had come in.

Little did they know that this time, instead of being careful guardians, they had switched roles to become enforcers, who were given orders to escort them Livingston, Guatemala.

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