B.D.F. Commander Comments on Allegations of Sexual Assault at Cadenas

Steven Ortega

Two weeks ago, reports surfaced that a woman in the Honduran caravan had complained that a B.D.F. soldier sexually assaulted her at the Cadenas Outpost in southern Belize.  The report suggests that the Belize Defence Force had launched an internal investigation into the conduct of one of the patrols. Commander, Brigadier General Steven Ortega told the media that they could not investigate the sexual misconduct allegation because a formal report was not made.

Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega, Commander, B.D.F.

“We have heard the allegations. We have not received a formal report as yet so cannot do anything about that until we receive a formal report but we did conduct an internal investigation into the conduct of that patrol and that is personnel will be discipline for the conduct of that patrol.”

Reporter

“What exactly is, was so offensive in terms of their conduct Sir, if you are able to disclose?”

Brig. Gen. Steven Ortega

“Basically they didn’t follow some of the procedures that are laid out, that they didn’t follow through.”