Kaibiles headed to Adjacency Zone?

Alexis Rosado

In the wake of a recent shooting incident involving a Guatemalan national, who was found encroaching on Belizean soil, it has been reported that measures are being considered to install Guatemalan Special Forces within the Adjacency Zone.  Details about the armed confrontation are also being disputed, but it is known that the injured Guatemalan national is twenty-seven year old Edgar Alexander Sacasa of Picalito Village and that he remains hospitalized.  While information on the deployment of troops has not been confirmed, C.E.O. Alexis Rosado of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the relationship between the Belize Defense Force and the Guatemalan military remains cordial.  Kaibiles, as they are referred to, are members of an elite group within the ranks of the armed forces.  They have, in the past, been deployed into the area and have worked closely with B.D.F. personnel in conducting border patrols.  Today, Rosado offered brief comment on the latest incident, as well as an update on the status of joint military operations near the western border.

Alexis Rosado, C.E.O., Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“There was a shooting incident when the BDF were on patrol.  There was a person who was injured.  They brought him to the hospital as soon as that was possible.  He had an operation and as far as I understand he is well now and on his way to recovery.  It was a successful operation.  In respect of our security forces in the Adjacency Zone, and also by the border and our protected areas and so forth, as you know that is their remit to go out there and protect our national parks and also to ensure that there are no illegal activities and they go about doing their business as normal.  When they see something that is not in accordance with our laws they act on it and otherwise the norm is that there aren’t any incidents but every now and then these things happen.”

Isani Cayetano

“It has been reported in the Guatemalan press, I know it doesn’t come as an official word from the Guatemalan government but it has been reported in the Prensa Libre that there are considerations to now install special forces, in terms of Guatemalan soldiers, in the area of the Adjacency Zone, would this mean anything with regards to the relationship that the Belize Defense Force shares with them regarding the patrols and security of that area?”

Alexis Rosado

“You are asking me to comment on a news article.  We don’t know that there is any official position of the neighbor, the neighboring government.  What I can tell you is that the Belize Defense Force is traditionally, at least for the several years that have passed, have been working very closely with their counterparts in Guatemala and as far as we could tell it’s a healthy relationship.  They do meet regularly and they do conduct joint activities where they do meet along the Adjacency Zone and they share information and share experience and so forth.  So, their relationship has been healthy and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.  In fact, we had a meeting in Guatemala just two weeks ago at my level, I met with the counterpart as the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala and both of us were talking about how to strengthen confidence.  So I have no doubt that as we move forward we will be working with an effort and an eye to improve our relations along the border.”

The shooting victim is under police guard at the Western Regional Hospital.