Prime Minister and B.D.F. Commander Sing From Different Hymn Books

The first release from the National Security Council, issued just before the expedition on Sunday, broke the news of “countless encounters” between the B.D.F. and Guatemalan military. The release speaks also of attempted interceptions, and the clear indication is that this has been happening since the B.D.F. started travelling up the Sarstoon to change troops at the Cadenas observation post. It has given rise to some confusion. At Wednesday’s press conference PM Barrow spoke about those regular encounters with Guatemalan military, while the B.D.F. Commander goes on a different track to blame the BTV for the aggression of the Guatemalans, saying that the BTV has affected the good relationship between the B.D.F. and the GAF.

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“Every Tuesday the Belize Defence Force takes a replacement contingent of soldiers up our side of the Sarstoon River to our military outpost at Cadenas and brings back down the river the troops being rotated out from Cadenas. In doing this, and consistent with our assertion of sovereignty, we ask neither leave nor license from the Guatemalans. Indeed, our BDF are routinely challenged by the Guatemalans, and as happened just last week Tuesday, frequently told to turn back. Our soldiers never retreat and are never deterred by these standoffs. They always complete their mission even when, as also happened last Tuesday, they are threatened by the Guatemalan navy with the ramming of their boat and with a fire-fight.”

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

“This act of sovereignty that we have been exercising has been for decades along the Sarstoon River. It has been unimpeded until now the Territorial Volunteers have started to show their patriotism and have now interrupted the status quo and also interrupting the good relationship that we have military to military with the Guatemalans that has been there for decades.”