The training program for the SEALs of the Belize Coast Guard is one of the most intensive and rigorous. Many begin but only the fittest see the program to completion. It is also one of the most guarded courses because of its sensitive nature in high-risk operations, relating to counter-narcotics and terrorist activities, as well […]
The appearance of the militant civilians in the Sarstoon was also raised with C.E.O. in the Ministry of National Security Retired Colonel George Lovell. He explained that the B.D.F. stationed at the base were unable to determine the identity of the civilian vessel or the intentions of those aboard. Reporter “Do you know of […]
The forward operating base at the estuary of the Sarstoon River was erected as a joint military installation to house Belize Defense Force and coast guard personnel. There was an official ceremony with all the bells and whistles to launch it in April 2016. The F.O.B. was intended to be used to support tactical operations […]
The coastguard’s noticeable absence from the immediate vicinity of the Sarstoon River essentially leaves Guatemalan fisher folks free to operate in Belizean waters illegally. Despite an initial presence in the area, the Ministry of National Security acknowledges that for the coastguard to be effective in arresting illegal fishing within Belizean waters, a team has to […]
Where the B.D.F. is concerned, the changeover of personnel at the Cadenas Observation Post, using the Sarstoon River as ingress to the remote location, has been unhindered since early May. While that is good news for the military, from a civilian perspective, it’s pretty much the same old, same old. Entry into the Sarstoon, even […]
Can Belizeans go into the Sarstoon – at least on our side of the river? That’s been the million dollar question since our news team was stopped on May twenty-seventh. Our government says that we can based on an informal understanding reached in Istanbul, Turkey. The Guatemalans have said that there is no informal or […]
There is another illegal Guatemalan settlement in Belizean territory near the border between the countries. That news came via release from the Ministry of National Security in the wake of a month-long operation in the area of Valentin Camp. According to the release, the settlement consisting of twenty Guatemalans was found in the area of […]
Prensa Libre T.V. has been airing an amateur video in which it claims that Belizean police and border management personnel are intimidating Guatemalans from Melchor de Mencos along the Adjacency Zone on the western border. The incident is said to have happened recently when the Belizean officials approached the Guatemalans who were in that area […]
On Friday News Five was stopped by Guatemalan military as we tried to enter the Sarstoon. They claimed that we were in their national waters. That claim is nothing new, but it is distressing because just days before Belize and Guatemala had allegedly come to an informal understanding that Belizeans would be allowed untrammeled access […]
While John Saldivar has been in the news of late mostly in reference to his bid for U.D.P. Deputy Leader, he is the Minister of National Security and border security features prominently in his portfolio. So when we had the opportunity we asked him about the incident on Friday in the Sarstoon, and also about […]
Tonight, the uncertainty surrounding that volatile zone known as the Sarstoon is alive and well after Guatemalan Armed Forces denied a News Five team passage down the river this morning, claiming that we were trespassing in their national waters. If it had happened last week, as it has on multiple occasions in past months, it […]
Very high level delegations from Belize and Guatemala will be meeting in Istanbul, Turkey on Saturday to discuss the Sarstoon. That’s the venue slated for the talks surrounding what has become a key factor in the bi-lateral road ahead. Tensions in the Sarstoon are at an all-time high – actually to the point where even […]
The talks are critical for another more local, political reason. The unpopular and controversial SI passed by G.O.B. prohibiting civilians from entering the Sarstoon expires six days from Saturday. Prime Minister Barrow has indicated that he will not extend it. So the ideal scenario would be that on Saturday there is some ironclad agreement which […]
There is an incredible story coming out of the borderland between Belize and Guatemala behind Spanish Lookout. It involves allegations of kidnapping, assault and damage to property. Last Thursday, Mennonite Roger Plett claims that he was physically detained by the Guatemalan military and taken off the farm he was working, into Guatemalan territory. It’s a […]
There was an attempt on the life of top cop, Chester Williams who has been strengthening community outreach with the police as a way of reducing crime and violence in the city. But tonight nineteen year old Zacharia Knox is in custody after he attempted to kill Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams on Thursday […]
A video released on Tuesday here on News Five shows two vessels of the Guatemalan Armed Forces provoking the B.D.F. and blocking soldiers from entering the Sarstoon. It is not the first time that this has happened. The G.A.F. is now in control of the Sarstoon and pronouncements, at the highest level, of peace and […]
The government of Guatemala has responded to the disturbing video in which the Guatemalan military tells the B.D.F. to “respect the protocol,” while the B.D.F. was attempting to traverse the Sarstoon last week. Today’s edition of the Prensa Libre newspaper states that Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales could not ascertain when the incident happened. But […]
Guatemalan military officers have been caught on camera bullying the Belize Defense Force in the Sarstoon which they now fully control. The B.D.F. is now told to “respect the protocol” to traverse the river. While there is anger in many quarters, earlier today we canvassed the opinion of regular folks on the disturbing situation in […]
Two weeks ago, we aired a video of an encounter between the Belize Defence Force and the Guatemalan Armed Forces in the Sarstoon in which the B.D.F. and the police were caught off guard in dealing with the Guatemalan military and at least one sergeant was later demoted. But there has been little official information […]
As recent as March sixteen this year, we asked the B.D.F. Commander, brigadier David Jones if in fact the situation in the Sarstoon was regressing for the B.D.F., as well as for civilians. Now, we know that the recently enacted Sarstoon Law prevents passage by Belizeans to the river without authorization. That is in addition […]
Government says it is cautiously optimistic about progress to solve the situation at the Sarstoon. But the Guatemalan military is not indicating any such optimism. Over the weekend, press reports say that the government beefed up its military vessels inside the Sarstoon River. According to a report in the Prensa Libre, customs and immigration officials […]
This morning, the National Fire Service held its passing out ceremonies at headquarters in Belize City. Twenty-four have made the cut, surviving a very intensive training course to prepare them for the very demanding, real-life exercise of fighting fires and saving lives. It’s a proud occasion for the National Fire Service, and Mike Rudon was […]
Those immediately affected by the law, and in whose honor the law was drafted are the Belize Territorial Volunteers. The group had planned an expedition to the Sarstoon on Saturday. Public entreaties by Prime Minister Dean Barrow failed to sway BTV head Wil Maheia, so on Thursday the PM dispatched military and foreign affairs leaders […]
The grassroots activist organization known as COLA, Citizens Organized for Liberty through Action, has been quiet lately. But today it re-emerged with a fiery release condemning G.O.B.’s new law, which we could probably dub Wil’s Law. The release blasts G.O.B., claiming that the, quote, latest action proves the government’s lack of priority as it relates […]
Brackett says COLA is prepared to go a couple steps further than condemnation by calling for a national shutdown. He told News Five that “For far too long Belize has lacked true leadership as it relates to this issue and it is time for the citizens of Belize to rise up and demand better.” […]
