Greater Law Enforcement Presence Needed in Colombia Forest Reserve  

According to Brigadier General Azariel Loria, two bridges created by illegal Guatemalan logwood cutters within the Columbia Forest Reserve have been destroyed recently. He noted that the bridges are rebuilt by Guatemalans immediately after destruction. Brigadier General Loria acknowledged that greater law enforcement is needed within the vast expanse of the reserve.

 

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander of the Belize Defense Force

“We try to arrest the situation where it merits it. The bridges that were erected, the road runs to the North of Machakil Ha. One of the bridges falls within that one kilometer.  We have reported that bridge from last year, sometime last year and it had not been verified. We couldn’t wait any longer and it was destroyed. They had constructed another bridge, so it was two bridges that were at that trail. So, we went and destroyed and they came back and the same Guatemalans built it over again. WE went back and destroyed it yet again and we are monitoring the areas. We need more assistance from the forest department and co-management of NGO that is willing to do like what FCD does in preserving the environment to come and assist.”