Will Security Commanders Push ‘YES’ Vote to I.C.J.?

Felix Enriquez

The top brass at the Ministry of National Security has publicly come out in support of a ‘YES’ vote to take the Guatemalan claim to the International Court of Justice.  The ministry’s C.E.O. Felix Enriquez, Deputy ComPol Chester Williams, Coast Guard Rear Admiral John Borland and B.D.F. Commander Steven Ortega did so in Open Your Eyes on Monday morning.  Their appearance has caused a firestorm because the arms of the national security apparatus ought to remain neutral on issues that have political implications. The officials were questioned if they will push for a yes or no vote in the ranks of their respective areas. This is what they had to say:

Felix Enriquez, C.E.O., Ministry of National Security

“This is an informed decision. Informed to the depth that our staff officers and ourselves looked at every detail as to how it affects us from a national security standpoint and you know that makes it personal. Everyone should make this personal. How does this affect you? How does this affect your organization and so we have to inform ourselves from that standpoint?”

Chester Williams

Chester Williams, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations)

“From our side, I want to make it categorically clear. Our minister has not imposed on us to vote yes or no. As a matter of fact, in our discussion with our minister it is an individual choice for us to make. While the ministry has taken a position. It is our responsibility and senior members of our department to ensure that our officers are educated. It is still a decision for them to make individually but yes at the end of the day it is still our hope that we can get a majority of our officers to say yes to the I.C.J. because we believe that’s the best way to go.”