B.T.V.’s Maheia: G.O.B. Must Defend the Border
The matter has officially been reported to the Belize Defence Force’s local barracks at Fairweather Camp. Maheia told us that the farmers left a mile-plus-long trail from Guatemala into Belize for easier access to their ‘conquered’ territory. He says it is now up to the Belize Government to accept the status quo or move to maintain the clear boundary line between the two countries with the help of loyal Belizeans.
On the Phone: Wil Maheia, Belize Territorial Volunteers
“The Alcalde went down to the Belize Defence Force headquarters here in Punta Gorda at Fairweather Camp, and the B.D.F. promised that they will make an excursion out there on Wednesday, so we will see if that will happen.”
Reporter
“Did the villagers get to speak to any of the Guatemalans, to get them to explain what they are doing there?”
On the Phone: Wil Maheia
“No, they didn’t do that, but we know that it is somebody who has money, because the person would normally bring in ten to fifteen workers to work the land.”
Reporter
“In terms of the size of the incursion, what portion of the land had been dealt with by these people?”
On the Phone: Wil Maheia
“It’s a huge portion of land that they are trying to claim, because we saw a trail that went beyond our eyesight, so definitely more than a mile long trail – it went up and down another hill, so definitely almost a mile if not a mile or more.”
Reporter
“And the trail leads directly across the border into Guatemala itself?”
On the Phone: Wil Maheia
“From Guatemala into Belize.”
Reporter
“From Guatemala into Belize; so what does this mean for the overall situation down there, that it is that Guatemalans are expanding –you mentioned previously that they were in Jalacte and San Vicente, now they’re in Otoxha, which I think is further south…”
On the Phone: Wil Maheia
“And also the same is happening in the village of Dolores; so I think it is important for the Government to do something, to put troops on the borderline – we know where the border line is at, and to stop the incursions, whenever they come over; we have to stop the incursions.”
Maheia says the Guatemalans are taking advantage of pasture area left untended by Belizean farmers in the community. He also says that the Government used to pay farmers a small stipend to clear the area along the border and suggests that Belize could return to this to stop Guatemalan incursions.
