Aragon Slates Saldivar, Says No Abuse of Police Items under His Watch

Elodio Aragon Jr.

Minister of Defense John Saldivar is embroiled in another scandal.  This time he was caught using coast guard vessels donated by the U.S. government to shuttle his Belmopan Bandits, as well as family and fans, to and from San Pedro for various sporting activities.  It’s a practice that is very much frowned upon because those pricey Boston Whalers were gifted to be used expressly by maritime law enforcement for patrolling Belize’s territorial waters.  With similar resources at the disposal of cabinet colleague Elodio Aragon Jr., who oversees the day-to-day operations of the Belize Police Department, he was asked earlier today whether the use of government resources for reasons other than what they are assigned to is an abuse of authority.  Aragon responded flatly by saying that the misuse of such resources isn’t encouraged under his watch.

Reporter

“Are you aware that the Minister of Defense was using coast guard resources to ferry his various sports teams across the country?”

Elodio Aragon Jr., Minister of Police

“No I don’t know about Jules.”

Reporter

“You are a minister in charge of a large array of resources.  Is this something that’s off limits or could you phone the police department in Orange Walk, for example, and say, “Hey, I got some supporters who need so and so.  I need them moved around.  Unnu bring the big bus.”

Elodio Aragon Jr.

“Jules, the Belize Police Department, yes it’s a huge department but at the end of the day every commander is responsible and we at the ministry level, we will definitely have to look into situations if there is abuse because we, at the end of the day, commanders are responsible for their personnel and they are responsible for all the equipment under their command, all the use of human resources and otherwise, in terms of fuel, in terms of how these vehicles are maintained, et cetera.  So definitely under the Belize Police Department and under my watch we will ensure that such abuses are not and do not hamper the Belize Police Department.”

Reporter

“So it should not happen?”

Elodio Aragon Jr.

“Of course, it should not happen.”

The U.S. Embassy in Belize has expressed dismay over the use of government donations for private activities.