What about SARSTOON RIVER & ILLEGAL GUAT FISHERS?

And on the topic of defence and border security, we also asked C.E.O.  Dario Tapia about the Sarstoon River and what role they will play in navigating the maritime issues encountered there with the Guatemalan Armed Forces, as well as the illegal Guatemalan fishers:

Dario Tapia, C.E.O. , Ministry of Defence & Border Security

“We can’t address that on our own because if you know it is cross border and so we have to engage the Guatemalan Armed Forces and by the Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs has to address it also with the Government of Guatemala and the OAS so that we are able to transit and share the use of the Sarstoon River mutually and with mutual respect.”

Andrea Polanco

“One of the things as well down there, sir, the illegal fishers. We have heard complaints from Belizeans and the conservation community – will your Ministry be looking at and collaborating with other Ministries for perhaps stricter penalties for these fishers who are in our waters illegally?”

Dario Tapia

Dario Tapia

“Well, it is something that as we chart our way forward that we will look at with the coast guard and anybody who is involved with the fisheries, you know we have a Blue Economy Ministry now and see how we can best address that situation. But indeed our intention is to address those issues so that we have control over our territory.”