B.D.F. Soldier Accused of Sexually Assaulting Coast Guard Officer

Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria

A male Belize Defense Force soldier stands accused of sexually assaulting a female Coast Guard officer. The incident reportedly happened at the B.D.F.’s Price Barracks compound in Ladyville. The Coast Guard officer was there on training, and she alleges that the BDF soldier entered her living quarters and sexually assaulted her. The case is currently before the Security Services Commission. The commander of the B.D.F., Brigadier General Azariel Loria, was asked about it.

Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria, Commander, B.D.F.

“That case came in front of me. I’ve dealt with it. I reduced the sergeant to private and recommended for him to be discharged. The document it has gone to our defence board and is presently at the SSC for their intervention. I can only recommend the discharge of anyone in the force. If we find enough evidence and grounds for him to be discharge…in the case of sexual assault, harassments, we have in our books and regulations that that is zero tolerance and we will not accept that. So, once a person is found guilty of such an offence, zero tolerance, he has to go or she.”