Belizean Four receive promotions
The last time you saw them they were being hugged by their families as they returned home from captivity in Guatemala. For their families, they were heroes all through their nine days in a Guatemalan detention center, but today the Belize Four were honored in an official way by their military and police superiors with promotions and commendations. News Five was at Price Barracks this morning for the happy occasion.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
The four Belizean security officers, who epitomized courage and bravery while illegally detained in Guatemala, were today commended for their conduct and professionalism. 2nd Lt. Romaldo Herrera is now Lt. Herrera; Police Constable Macedonio Sanchez is now Corporal Sanchez. Lance Corporal Lucio Arana has been promoted to Corporal and Private Luciano Tzub is now a Lance Corporal.
Corporal Lucio Arana
“Proud. Happy. Very very happy. I guess everybody was wondering what we would have…what award we would have gotten for our bravery at the border. Well, finally we have received it.”
Lance Corporal Luciano Tzub
“Well I just feel good and being promoted to a lance corporal. I’ll be more professional than before because being a private soldier and a lance corporal are two different things.”
Corporal Macedonio Sanchez
“I feel good for the promotion and everything, but from time to time someone would like to be out with other people, for instance the BDF. I have always enjoyed doing OP duties.”
On February 24th, the four officers were kidnapped by 25 Guatemalan military personnel while on routine border patrol in Belize. They were detained for nine days in Santa Elena, Peten. Belize mounted a full defense, hiring a lawyer to head up the legal angle and pursuing the diplomatic end from Belmopan. On March 3rd, a court document allowed the men leave in the care of Ambassador Salvador Figueroa. But no sooner were the men on Belizean soil, Guatemala responded, requesting that Salvador Figueroa be removed as Ambassador to Guatemala and declaring the men fugitives from the law. Minister of National Security, Jorge Espat says the case is over but now the talks have to begin.
Jorge Espat, Minister of National Security
“As far as I know that case is finished. We got back our three BDF officers and our policeman. We hope that the Guatemalans will not repeat that irresponsible behavior and that’s why it’s important to talk with each other.”
“The Belize Defense Force continues to desire a professional relationship with the Guatemalan Armed Forces. I can tell you that the commandant of the BDF has spoken to the Chief Defense Staff in Guatemala as well as we’ve sent correspondence to invite them to resume the military to military communication. We await their response.”
Patrol commander Lt. Romaldo Herrera says he didn’t expect to be promoted. He sees the entire ordeal as an important lesson that he will never forget.
Lt. Romaldo Herrera
“Like they say once bitten twice shy. When you go out there, you’ll be far more alert. I mean you are from the beginning but knowing now that a threat exists as such, you switch on more. You open your eyes, open your ears, you look out more. I mean it’s always been the same, but I mean just to have that extra bit of precaution.”
Jorge Espat
“Our tranquility and our democracy, we owe to the extraordinary dedication of the men and women of the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Police Department. Your faith in our freedom and your commitment to our national interest allow Belizeans to live the meaning of our citizenship.”
Janelle Chanona for News Five.
According to Minister Jorge Espat, Senior Foreign Affairs Officer Edith Gahona has been sent to Guatemala until a new ambassador is appointed. The four security officers would like to once again thank everyone who supported them while they were held in Guatemala.
