Soldiers and Coast Guards to Haiti on Security Mission

Florencio Marin

Florencio Marin, the Minister of National Defense has confirmed that Belize will be sending soldiers to Haiti to join a security mission led by Kenya and the United Nations. According to Minister Marin, at least fifty soldiers and coast guards will represent Belize in the mission. He also confirmed that preparations are already underway to deploy these individuals.

Florencio Marin, Minister of National Defense

“Not everything is decided as yet, that Belize will participate yes. But if you are asking for the details, we have not gone through that as yet. What we are hearing is that Kenya will lead the delegation with the support of the United Nations and the big countries. But, we don’t have all the specific details as to when as yet. However, our Belize Defense Force and our Coast Guard are beginning to make the necessary preparations for when the time comes. I will leave that up to the general and the admiral to make the decision of who best should go. Part of the decision for that will be on the mission to define why troops are going to Haiti, what role will they play, from there the general and Admiral Bennett will decide who are the best soldiers and sailors to go. We have begun to make all the necessary preparations. They are planning what is needed. The cost, the training, the equipment, all these works have to be going before we can actually deploy the troops.”