And we also asked the commander of the BDF about their operations in the north, which is happening alongside the police department. Brigadier General Loria explained that they have been preparing for the possibility of heavy narco activity from a year ago. He added that they are ensuring that the soldiers are as equipped to handle the cartels as the Mexican security forces.

Brig. Gen Azariel Loria, Commander, BDF
"We were there because we are always in support. The police always conduct their internal operations. They have the mandate or the or the authority to conduct arrests. We could do detentions. We will always be in support and hand over. If we detain anybody, we must hand over whoever it is that is committing the crimes to to the police department, and they will be responsible to do the remainder, the prosecution, etc., etc.."

"Yes, we did plan yesterday. From last year. This this Caborca Cartel is something that we got wind of from last year in May. I do remember that we went to Mexico to inform the cabinet, the National Security Council, about such problematic in close to our northern border in their case it's the southern border, which they referred us to, to the state of Quintana Roo and the military that was here, and to conduct more meetings."

"So here we are now, they the cartels are in southern Mexico. They are in fights. Some might say it's not it's not serious, as the other others would say it's serious, because on the videos, if you notice the cruelty that is being used for them to target individuals, it's something that is happening within cartels and it could spiral if we don't watch it, it could come into Belize, into our territory."

"We have been conducting operations from last year in May, June, July thereabout, and we continue to do so. And most naturally, if the Mexican armed forces bolstered their security in Quintana Roo in the state of Chetumal, we have to ensure that our security presence is increased. And we have been doing that with the police department as well."

But he conceded that they do not have enough human resources, and at yesterday's meeting, the issue of missing customs and immigration officials was discussed.

Brig. Gen Azariel Loria, Commander, BDF
"Certainly, we don't have all the assets that we would require, but we wish that we have their , hence, the reason we work at joint interagency with this with the other security elements and something that that we spoke about is that we are at yesterday's meeting, is that we didn't have the the presence of the Immigration and the Customs Department, that they are also force multipliers, that they are responsible to conduct security along the border as well."

"And the more personnel that we have together, it would be better for us. We at present with with with the police department and us, it's a significant amount of personnel that we have in the border, along the border, and we do intend to bolster it. So it is just for our safety precautions and the reassure the Belizean public that we are not standing idly by."

"We were responding to to an emergency that is happening on the other side of the border and we don't want that problem to come across."