Reports of B.D.F. Ration Shortage is Mischief Making, Says Minister of State

Oscar Mira, the Minister of State in the Ministry of National Defense, says that reports of a ration shortage within the Belize Defense Force are being done to create mischief. Minister Mira, himself a former soldier, contended that the organization would never deploy soldiers without sufficient rations. He further explained that the B.D.F. has recently undertaken an initiative to supply its soldiers with healthier food options.

Oscar Mira

Oscar Mira, Minister of State, Ministry of National Defense

“I think that is just mischief. The rations have not been cut from the Belize Defense Force soldiers. In fact if we check the records, the Belize Defense Force is getting more and better quality that what they were receiving in the last thirteen years. What we have done as the Prime Minister pointed out, we hired a nutritionist to tell us listen, we are having issues in the Belize Defense Force. It is no secret. We did a study to find out how many of our force has diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes and it turns out we had to change our diet. It doesn’t mean we are cutting down. It just meant we are now doing healthier meals and making sure our soldiers are given the opportunity to have a healthy and notorious meal. The rations that we saw on the media, that was not the ration given to that patrol. That patrol which consisted of thirteen men for fourteen days that fourteen days ration. The commander, after we made the investigation, put the rest for safe keeping which is what they normally do out in the field. We would never ever cut down on ration for our soldiers. I have been there, I know how it is. I have walked the border. I have gone on patrol and we make sure have enough. If they say soldiers walk on their stomachs, yes indeed because after a long day walk, we want to make sure we sit down and have a very good meal. I made sure I went to check with the rations store  NCO and the 1033 is there that the commander signed for the ration for fourteen days . So, there was no shortage. Whoever went and took that picture and leaked it out to media I believe it was out of mischief and there is no truth to us cutting down on the rations of the BDF.”