Minister Elrington Stands Behind Independent Report On Julio Alvarado Death

Wilfred Elrington

Elrington dedicated much time to respond to the Guatemalan President’s statement last week on the shooting incident involving the minor in the Chiquibul. And he didn’t hold back about what he thought of the Guatemalan’s response to the O.A.S. report by the international experts. Elrington said that Guatemala’s rejection is not just “reprehensible but also unacceptable” Here’s a snippet of Elrington’s speech.

Wilfred Elrington, Foreign Minister, Belize

“Tragically, and much to Belize’s regret, on the 20th April 2016, a Guatemalan minor was fatally shot and his father and brother injured when they came in contact with a Belizean patrol in one of our protected National Parks in the dead of night. An investigation was forthwith commenced by the Belize Police. Additionally, Officials of the O.A.S. stationed at the Adjacency Zone between Belize and Guatemala also immediately commenced their own investigation.  And, at the specific behest of the Government of Guatemala, Belize requested the Secretary General of the O.A.S. to cause to be launched a special official independent investigation into the incident. The report of the Special Independent Commission chronicles what really took place on the night of the incident. Its objective, impartial findings of fact established the correctness of the Belize’s position from the start and the wholly erroneous nature of the allegations leveled against our country by Guatemala.  It completely absolves Belize of any and all blame for the incident.  It makes manifest the wrongness of Guatemala’s accusation against Belize and the personnel of Belize Defence Force.   Guatemala has publicly and peremptorily rejected the Commission’s report.  However, it is certainly irresponsible, if not reprehensible and utterly unacceptable, that Guatemala should now seek to reject the results of a process which it had specifically requested and agreed to and which was conducted by O.A.S. appointed independent third country professionals with impeccable credentials and with no axe to grind. And, the wanton threat of use of force by a nation against its neighbor is wholly uncalled for, recklessly dangerous, and in clear violation of the charter of this United Nations and can in no wise be countenanced.  Mr. President, Belize’s only wish is to live in peace and harmony with all our neighbours, including Guatemala.  We fully appreciate that with each passing day with more and more Guatemalans trespassing into our country, despoiling our natural resources and engaging in illegal and destructive activities, the potential for violent incidents and conflicts becomes more and more probable and problematic.  This situation makes for a prompt and peaceful end to this anachronistic and unfounded claim over our country an urgent imperative.”