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So, in the end it came down to the fact that Belize has absolutely no intention of amassing a military presence at the border. This base will be used simply for law enforcement purposes. Today, we asked the General, if the argument on the ownership of the base being for military use, is simply splitting hairs, since the BDF coordinates with the Coast Guard and Police on law enforcement activities regularly. Here's what he had to say:

Daniel Ortiz
"This issue being a Coast Guard base over a BDF military facility. Why is it so necessary for us to distinguish between the two of them?"

Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - Belize Defence Force
"For Belize's perspective, there isn't really a necessity. Because we in Belize, we consider the Coast Guard also as a military organization. Internationally, people may think otherwise. But they have been doing training with us, so we have no objection in categorizing the Coast Guard as a military as well. But that base is particularly important because there is a lot of narco-traffic activity that occurs in the Sarstoon. North of the central line that runs through the river belongs to Belize in our mind and south in their mind belongs to them. So if anything occurs north of the river, technically they don't have any rights or jurisdiction to interdict anything that happens there and it's the same for us. If anything happens south of the median line, we don't have that jurisdiction. So it's only sensible that both of us have a base there and both of us work jointly together to interdict whatever comes through the Sarstoon."

Daniel Ortiz
"When this base is constructed, it is so unforeseen or so alien that BDF patrols would make a stop there to replenish and to coordinate with the Coast Guard and is that such a bad thing?"

Brig. Gen. David Jones
"No of course not. We traverse that river every week, because we have an observation post that goes to Cadenas where our BDF patrols has to pass through there. If a Coast Guard base is there, we talk with them and we work with them and the eventuality is and our intent is to have the BDF there as well. So BDF and Coast Guard can work there jointly. So, that is going to happen."

Reporter
"Will be jointly operated on whatever basis weekly/daily whatever time they are there."

Brig. Gen. David Jones
"Well that hasn't been determined yet. But the plan is for the BDF to be there. Now, when Foreign Affairs is clear on what exactly they want happen and our Ministry of National Security is quite sure what is going to happen, then we will deploy. But from the BDF perspective, we have been interested to construct a base there for years ago and it is still our intent for strategic purpose to have a base near the mouth of the Sarstoon."

Reporter
"But the BDF does advised the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because ultimately you guys are the military."

Brig. Gen. David Jones
"Yes, of course we do and we have given them our advice and they are quite aware and I have explained to our Ministry the significance of having a base there. They've listen to us, unfortunately, there is a dispute between our neighboring countries. So when that is worked out between Foreign Affairs and the Ministry, then we will get the directive. But they are fully aware of the importance and significance of having a base at such a location. Because it's quite strategic."

Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, but the way you describe it, it makes it sound as though Foreign Affairs is the lead agency in a military type situation where you all are the most equip, the most experience individuals to make the best decision."

Brig. Gen. David Jones
"When it comes to actions on the ground, the military will give the advice. But when it comes to a dispute between bordering countries, our Foreign Affairs has to take that lead. Above the tactical or operational situation on the ground, it is a border dispute between countries and that takes precedence over any military or tactical situation on the ground. The border dispute has to be resolved. They contend that it's their country. We contend that it's our country. It's best to solve this diplomatically before a military solution."

Viewers may be aware that the Belize Defense Force has a facility in the south known as Cadenas Observation Post, which is near the Gracias A Dios marker, which marks Belize's Southwest border with Guatemala. This observation post is far distance away, but it does overlook portions of the Sarstoon River, and since the BDF traverses that river to get there, they have first-hand knowledge of the need of this Coast Guard forward operating base. General Jones discussed that topic with us:

Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander - Belize Defence Force
"We need to have a base there for our own strategic reasons. There a number of illicit activities occurring at the Sarstoon, a part from the international narco-trafficking that goes there. There is a lot of illegal fishing, illegal poaching that happens on the mainland and there is illegal logging that happens north of the river itself which we as the Belize Defence Force are interested to stop. So it is our interest to have a base there to stop the illegal activities from international players and also from our neighboring players from Guatemala that are doing illegal activities in the area."

We'll have a bit more in our newscast from the General later on, and we'll show you the 81 new soldiers who passed out today at graduation on BDF Recruit Intake #60.