Guillermo Foreman to be Charged with Illegal Entry into Belize

Guillermo Foreman

Where is Guillermo Foreman tonight? The Belmopan resident, who was stuck at the Santa Elena border in the north for days and not allowed entry into Belize, remains in police custody, pending charges. Today, Prime Minister Dean Barrow referred to Belizean border jumpers during his virtual press conference, saying that after quarantine, these persons who do not get bail will be incarcerated at the central prison. But Minister of National Security, Michael Peyrefitte went further and confirmed this afternoon that Foreman will be charged will illegal entry into Belize.

Michael Peyrefitte, Minister of National Security

“From what I was told, by the police, is that he entered Belize. The borders are closed, so he broke the law. So he will be charged for entering the country illegal. That’s it. You know, people have this concept about ‘no man’s land.’  Yo noh got no ‘no man’s land’ yo know. Yo either ina Belize or Mexico; one out of the two. That space between the bridge dah Chetumal and the actual immigration [office], that dah Belize yo know.”

Michael Peyrefitte

Dorian Pakeman, Director, Government Press Office

“It’s still Belize territory.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“So yo can’t say well I noh reach the immigration point yet and I noh ina Belize yet. Man yo ina Belize man.”

Dorian Pakeman

“Once yo cross the mid channel of the Rio Hondo.”

Michael Peyrefitte

“Yo ina Belize. Yo ina Belize.”

Dean Barrow

Prime Minister Dean Barrow

“The Belizean border jumpers will continue to face criminal charges, but they too will be quarantined before their trial can even begin. They will be swabbed even before they are taken to court to be arraigned and after arraignment, if they are given bail, they still go back into quarantine; if they are not given bail, they go back into quarantine and at the end of the fourteen days, those that have not been given bail will be transferred to the central prison.”