Espat says parties united on Guatemalan Claim
The press in Guatemala has continued to whip up antagonism against Belize to the point where it is not clear whether the politicians are reacting to real events or those erroneously reported in the newspapers. While the rhetoric heats up in Guatemala City, News Five took the opportunity to ask Minister of National Security, Jorge Espat, how he views the situation from the military and diplomatic perspective.
Jorge Espat, Minister of National Security
“I believe the Vice Minister is perpetrating the old policy of the Arzu Government. Our position is clear, that our borders are clearly defined. There is no discussion about giving up any part of this country. Our government continues to look forward to high level political discussions. Our Prime Minister has indicated that he intends to establish a national consultive mechanism, that embraces all sectors of our society, leaders of our political parties. Because on the issue of Guatemala, we remain a united country and we will continue to repel every effort by any foreign government to undermine Belize’s territorial sovereignty and integrity.”
Janelle Chanona
Have we increased our border patrols?
Jorge Espat
“The border patrols occur within a plan that is designed by the Belize Defense Force. And they have responsibility to maintain Belize’s territorial integrity and through their border patrols, their joint cooperation between Belize Defense Force and Belize Police Department, between the law enforcement agencies, the BDF the police, the immigration departments, so it’s an ongoing exercise that we do annually.”
A press release from the Ministry of National Security has underscored Espat’s comments. Referring to a “coordinated military operation” between Belizean and Guatemalan security forces, the release reports anti-narcotic maritime patrols last Thursday on the Sarstoon River. The operation, named “Esfuerzo Coordinado”, was described as the first ever coordinated anti-narcotics operation by the two countries. It is not clear exactly how large the respective contingents were and how closely their activities were coordinated. The Sarstoon River forms Belize’s southern boundary with Guatemala.
