B.D.F. Commander, “Relationship with Guatemalan Military is Jeopardized”

David Jones

The Prime Minister claims that following Sunday’s incident with the Guatemalan Navy, there is no doubt that tensions and thus the risk and danger has increased, not only to the BTV contemplating a return trip, but also to B.D.F. soldiers who must traverse the Sarstoon every week. Commander of the B.D.F. Brigadier-General David Jones echoed that sentiment, and blames the Belize Territorial Volunteers for the escalated risk to his soldiers.

Brig. Gen. David Jones, Commander, Belize Defence Force

“What we’ve noticed of recent that the Guatemalan patrols follow our vessels sometimes for a kilometre up the Sarstoon, but recently they have been going all the way to Cadenas to follow our patrol. That isn’t normal. Apparently they were informed at the lower level that they are not supposed to go all the way there. But of recent because of the traction of what is happening with the Territorial Volunteers wanting to go to the Sarstoon Island and wanting to show their patriotism in the area, they have escalated their interest in what’s happening at the Sarstoon. I must add that this can change the status quo of the relationship that we have military to military because we have been going through that river unimpeded for decades without incident. And for the first time we had the interception is after the Territorial Volunteers is showing their patriotism in the area. That’s the first time that we’ve had any interception of this sort that could have resulted in an incident.”

Reporter

“Sir, are the volunteers endangering the lives of your soldiers?”

Brig. Gen. David Jones

“They surely are. And I have passed this warning prior to the incident. They don’t have all the facts together. They don’t understand that we of course as the military and as Belizeans, we have the position that the mid channel of the Sarstoon, to the north of it belongs to us, which includes the Sarstoon Island. But the Guatemalans have a different view. It is not prudent to solve it with violence, it is not prudent to solve it with force; it is prudent to solve it through mediation. That is the best way to get it done.”