Guatemalans caught in Chiquibul National Park

Still on the exploitation of our natural reserves, xateros from neighbouring Guatemala continue to exploit the Chiquibul National Park. The military forces in Belize patrol the area, but because the area is generally dense and the number of patrols is limited, it has been difficult to apprehend the xateros. On Tuesday, however, park rangers moved in on two Guatemalan men and a minor. According to park rangers, they were conducting patrols along with B.D.F. soldiers in the Mountain Pine Ridge area when they encountered the three Guatemalan xateros: forty-three year old Rigoberto Gutierrez, twenty-three year old Josue Herrera and a ten year old minor. Gutierrez was found in possession of a point twenty-two rifle slung across his back and twelve live point twenty-two rounds of ammunition in his possession. As a result Police detained the two adults pending charges. The minor was released in the custody of members of the Organization of American States.