The Guatemalan Naval vessel has been removed from the reef. The gunboat was removed on Saturday morning at 11. When we spoke to Coast Guard Commander Bennett he told us that it only took about 10 minutes to tug the vessel off. Bennett told us that the new tug line from Guatemala made all the difference in this case -it was stronger and more durable. By 11:40, the gunboat was tugged all the way out of site. Now, a team from the Department of Environment was sent out today and their assessment should be finalized by tomorrow. The official report will then be sent to the Ministry of National Security and of Foreign Affairs. So, that's good news right? Seems like a happy ending ….Well not for some, there are still a number of questions arising from the public and in this case the PUP. The PUP sent out a release today questioning the description of events by the CEO in the Ministry of National Security. In the release, the PUP also questions the presence of the naval vessel in Belizean waters. It says "How is it that a Guatemalan naval vessel could enter and traverse Belize's territorial waters unannounced and undetected by Belize's national security apparatus." The release goes on to outline 4 questions relating to the Guatemalan naval vessel issuing a distress call on time and if charges will be laid for breaches of the Harbours and Merchant Shipping Act and the Environmental protection Act. The release ends by saying "The Peoples United Party further asserts that the presence of a Guatemalan naval vessel in our territorial waters, occurring shortly after the unlawful detention of Belizean citizens in Guatemala and the Sarstoon Island incursion, is yet another failure on the part of the Barrow administration to protect and defend Belize's sovereignty and territorial Integrity. "
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The Guatemalan Naval vessel has been removed from the reef. The gunboat was removed on Saturday morning at 11. When we spoke to Coast Guard Commander Bennett he told us that it only took about 10 minutes to tug the vessel off. Bennett told us that the new tug line from Guatemala made all the difference in this case -it was stronger and more durable. By 11:40, the gunboat was tugged all the way out of site. Now, a team from the Department of Environment was sent out today and their assessment should be finalized by tomorrow. The official report will then be sent to the Ministry of National Security and of Foreign Affairs. So, that's good news right? Seems like a happy ending ….Well not for some, there are still a number of questions arising from the public and in this case the PUP. The PUP sent out a release today questioning the description of events by the CEO in the Ministry of National Security. In the release, the PUP also questions the presence of the naval vessel in Belizean waters. It says "How is it that a Guatemalan naval vessel could enter and traverse Belize's territorial waters unannounced and undetected by Belize's national security apparatus." The release goes on to outline 4 questions relating to the Guatemalan naval vessel issuing a distress call on time and if charges will be laid for breaches of the Harbours and Merchant Shipping Act and the Environmental protection Act. The release ends by saying "The Peoples United Party further asserts that the presence of a Guatemalan naval vessel in our territorial waters, occurring shortly after the unlawful detention of Belizean citizens in Guatemala and the Sarstoon Island incursion, is yet another failure on the part of the Barrow administration to protect and defend Belize's sovereignty and territorial Integrity. "