Illegal bodega in Jalacte finally removed

The infamous bodega in Jalacte in southern Belize has finally been removed. It took two months, but tonight the illegal bodega is no more: that’s the word coming from the Ministry of National Security. According to a press release issued this afternoon, a joint military operation was carried out under the watchful eye of the Organization of American States as required under the confidence building measures between Belize, the O.A.S. and Guatemala signed in September 2005. The container was moved into Guatemalan territory and its concrete base dismantled by a Ministry of Works bulldozer. The operation had the participation of the Belize Defence Force, Police Department and Ombudsman’s Office, as well as the Guatemalan Armed Forces and Human Rights Commission. The ministry reports that the process was carried out peacefully and without incident. The bodega was erected by Leonel Arellano of the Guatemalan village of Santa Cruz and in January was verified by the O.A.S. to be in Belizean territory and ordered to be removed. The removal of the container was programmed to take place last year, but was delayed because the villagers reportedly threatened to attack whoever removed it.