Shots Fired, Hostile Guatemalans Surround B.D.F. Soldiers
The Belize Defence Force is currently probing alarming reports of their soldiers being encircled by potentially hostile, armed Guatemalans at the Machakilha Conservation Post. This tense standoff occurred on September seventh, following the detention of several Guatemalan men by a B.D.F. patrol for illegal logging in the Columbia River Forest Reserve. In a bid to avoid bloodshed, the patrol commander made the contentious decision to release the men along with their chainsaw. This incident has brought to light serious allegations that Guatemalans have been bribing soldiers for years to overlook these illicit activities. Hipolito Novelo has been delving into these claims for the past three weeks. Here is his detailed report.
Hipolito Novelo, Reporting
On September seventh, a group of Belize Defence Force soldiers was surrounded by over ten possibly armed and hostile Guatemalans near the Machakilha Conservation Post. The last order the patrol received from Fairweather Camp before losing communication was to, “man your ground”. Soldiers report hearing two shots. They were outnumbered and outmanned. On September 28, we asked Minister of National Defence & Border Security Florencio Marin Jr. about it.
Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defence & Border Security
“I don’t have the specifics. I do know that there was some aggression that we were able to work with the Guatemalan side to be able to bring that to a resolution. So I know sometimes when the, when the first news come out, they come out, you know, I mean, a little bit shady and all, uncertain, but I do know that we have managed to resolve that.”
But was the situation truly resolved? The reason these potentially armed and hostile Guatemalans encircled the soldiers was due to the detention of a group of Guatemalan men caught red-handed, illegally logging in the Columbia River Forest Reserve. The soldiers, dispatched to dismantle two wooden bridges constructed by the same Guatemalans, were alerted by the sound of chainsaws in action. Major Roberta Usher, the B.D.F.’s Chief of Staff, confirmed to News 5 that the bridges were indeed located within Belizean territory.
Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff, B.D.F.
“We can confirm that the legal infrastructure, including the bridges, were identified within the lease, and in response, the proper protocols aligned with the confidence building measures to ensure appropriate actions were taken. So, yes, we conducted operations and our teams encountered individuals and equipment at said locations. Whether or not they were surrounded is still under investigation.”
The soldiers arrested fifty-six-year-old Santiago Gomez and his seventeen-year-old son, both caught with timber six hundred meters inside Belize. A Guatemalan family, suspected of smuggling logs, was also intercepted nearby in a retrofitted pickup truck. The family was part of a larger illegal operation involving other detained chainsaw operators. Juan Jose Garcia, believed to be the on-the-ground boss, was arrested, but the mastermind, “Salvador,” remained in Guatemala. After the search, Lydia Ramirez and the minors were released and escorted to the border.
The other five men and their chainsaws were taken to the conservation posts. On their way, Garcia started a conversation with the patrol commander. During that conversation, Garcia tells the patrol commander, “Échame La Mano” which means “help me out.” News Five obtained an audio recording of a portion of the conversation.
Voice of: Juan Jose Garcia, Guatemalan
“Look boss, but help me out. You know, as I tell you, we are all human beings. What can I tell you? You suddenly appear here…at least I can do and visit you and we can talk and see if I can work or can’t work. We can talk and you can tell me if it is possible for me to work here. I am not going to work if it is not possible. But, we can talk and if you say I can work then I will work but if you tell me I cannot work and I won’t. Help me out.”
According to documents reviewed by News 5, Garcia allegedly tried to bribe a soldier multiple times, but the soldier refused. The shocking part? Garcia admitted to bribing commanders at the CP to continue his illegal activities, even describing who he has bribed. He claims he has been doing so for the past five years. Minister Marin says it’s the first time he has heard the allegations.
Florencio Marin Jr.,
“I mean, this is the first time because I know that every time we know of these bridges, except if for certain things that the OAS have to inspect, we immediately advise the general to be able to remove these illegal fortifications that are possibly, possibly put on the ground.”
Major Usher would not confirm or deny the allegations, saying that an investigation has been launched. The patrol commander who decided to release the 5 Guatemalans and 2 of the 4 chainsaws is facing disciplinary charges. He is being accused of failing to destroy the illegal bridges and, unofficially, of accepting a bribe. A search of the commander and his team revealed no money or illegal items. The extended version of this story can be found on Channel 5’s website. Reporting for News Five, I am Hipolito Novelo.
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