And while the official reaction to the Guatemalan counter proposal was tonight's headline, the really big news is the opening of the Forward Operating Base on the banks of the Sarstoon. It's been the subject of so much speculation and agitation for months, and tonight we can tell you that the base is built; it's open, and it's operational. IT's a subject of intense curiosity for the Belziean public, and also, apparently, for the Guatemalan military which actually sent a drone across the river to " faas' " on the ceremony on the Belize side of the river. The appearance of the drone, caused some of the soldiers to draw their weapons, which sent the drone whizzing back across the river very quickly. The Military leaders commented on the drone disruption:
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"We noticed that there was; it came out 10 minutes ago, a drone which was directly above the base. Do you think that is a breach of our security?"
Adm. John Borland - Commandant, Belize National Coast Guard
"Of course it is, it is breach of our security and it’s an act of brazenness on whoever sent that drone over here and it should not be condoned and it should be addressed. The same thing happened when we were here for the opening, the ground breaking ceremony and again it's been repeated. We did address it at that time, it was not a welcomed gesture for whoever is responsible and I hope we do so again. It should not countenance, a breach of our sovereignty, a breach of our airspace and it is nothing but out right disrespectful."
Mike Rudon - Channel 5 News
"Do you feel that Belizean law enforcement would be justified to whatever it takes to get that drone from out of Belizean territory?"
Adm. John Borland - Commandant, Belize National Coast Guard
"Justified in doing whatever it takes has to be broken down. I think the first measure are to address it seriously at levels above me that it not be countenance not be tolerated and not be repeated but I feel completely disrespected today to see it repeated after the first time and we addressed and we thought the act would be discontinued."
Reporter
"How was it addressed?"
Adm. John Borland - Commandant, Belize National Coast Guard
"It was addressed through diplomatic channels."
Reporter
"Sir we saw as well and correct me if I'm wrong, it appeared that you took it upon yourself not that it was a directive from the Minister who stood there and said it’s in our airspace. Did you take it upon yourself to walk out there on the dock and point toward it as if you were going to shoot it down?"
Adm. John Borland - Commandant, Belize National Coast Guard
"Well I wasn't going to shoot it down, all I was trying to do was send a message that thing was in our airspace and it should leave."
Reporter
"Could we have taken it down?"
Hon. John Saldivar - Minister of National Security
"Well I think you are making an assumption as to the source of the drone, the last time one such even had occurred we were told that it was the Guatemalan media but that aside yes it is an invasion of our airspace and I believe you saw that we were about to take appropriate action."
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