Guatemalan’s death ruled self defense

The Commission of Inquiry convened to investigate the death of a Guatemalan at the border town of Arenal has determined that he was killed in self defense by a B.D.F. soldier and no one is to be held criminally responsible. The incident in June sparked strong reaction in the Guatemalan press which claimed that Mateo Ramirez was unarmed and shot at close range by the soldiers. Reports in the Amandala and Reporter newspapers also featured statements from witnesses who said Ramirez was fleeing from the soldiers. The B.D.F. maintained the Guatemalan was wielding a machete in a threatening manner and refused to put it down. Testimony was given by both the soldiers and witnesses, including Ramirez’s ten year old son, last month in the Belmopan Magistrate’s Court. The Prime Minister Said Musa shared the findings with Cabinet today during their weekly meeting.

Other topics today included an update from the Ministry of Education on the opening of the Sacred Heart Junior College in the Cayo District. The sixth form already has one hundred students registering for classes in tourism management, computer and environmental studies. Next year Sacred Heart hopes to offer surveying, interior design, building and construction courses. In other education news, the Prime Minister Said Musa and the Minister of Education Cordel Hyde reported on a meeting they had with the Bishops of the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches and Monsignor Dorrick Wright to discuss the future, and direction, of education in Belize. The Ministry of Economic Development presented an investment proposal by the D.F.C. which examines several options for the rental of the Santa Cruz Lodge. An offshore electronic data processing center capable of employing over two hundred and eighty people was among the proposals.