Detained Fishermen Will Be Deported to Belize

In our newscast on Friday we reported that eight fishermen had been detained and were being processed by immigration authorities in Guatemala. The group was detained on the beach of Punta Manbique for illegal entry.  Seven had fishing licences, but the eight fishermen did not hold any identification document.  The fishermen are Jeffery Gongora, Manuel Flores, Antonio Pop, Simeon Batun, Isidro Tamai, Jorge Tamai, Bartolo Jimenez, and Ernesto Megan.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports the group were at the Belize Embassy this morning to process their travel documents after which they will be deported to Belize. According to the ministry, the group is expected to return later this week. It is expected that their transfer will be smooth since the charge of illegal entry is an administrative one which does not require a court process.