B.D.F. Getting Better Communication Equipment
As part of our in-depth and intensive investigation into the “Machakila Incident,” it became apparent that the Belize Defence Force is in urgent need of better communication equipment.
On September 7, a group of Belize Defence Force soldiers stationed near the Machakilha Conservation Post (CP) found themselves surrounded by more than 10 potentially armed and hostile Guatemalans. Before communication with Fairweather Camp was lost, the last order received by the patrol was to “man your grounds.” Tensions rose as the soldiers realised they were being encircled by the Guatemalans, who had gathered near the helicopter landing site. It is believed their intent was to retrieve five Guatemalan men who had been detained for illegal logging activities in the Columbia River Forest Reserve.
The B.D.F. relies on Harris and VHF radios for its operations. The Harris radio, manufactured by L3Harris Technologies, is a secure, rugged communication tool used by military forces and emergency services. It provides encryption, long-range capabilities, multiple frequency options, and GPS, making it vital for critical missions. The VHF radio, widely used in professional environments, is known for its versatility and power. However, on the day of the incident, both systems failed. The VHF radio couldn’t establish contact, and the Harris radio eventually “went out of sync.”
Are BDF Soldiers Operating with outdated Communications Equipment?
During the incident, the BDF’s Fairweather Camp in Punta Gorda was alerted that the CP was being surrounded by “potentially hostile” Guatemalans, likely attempting to recover detained individuals. The response from Fairweather was to “man your grounds,” but shortly after, the Harris radio lost sync, cutting off communication entirely. All attempts to re-establish contact failed.
A second attempt to communicate using the Harris radio at 9:30 p.m. also failed, leaving the patrol to harbour overnight and depart the following morning.
When asked about whether the BDF’s communication equipment is outdated and in need of replacement last month, Defence Minister Florencio Marin did not provide a direct response. When we recently asked the Commander of the B.D.F., Brigadier General Azariel Loria said the BDF will soon receive upgraded communication equipment, thanks to support from the Central Bank of Belize. The new gear, which includes body cameras, satellite radios, and tracking devices, will be deployed to the most remote outposts along the Belize-Guatemala border, such as Cadenas, Machakilha, Rio Blanco, and Ceibo Chico. He said, “We are in the process of purchasing our satellite phones with the assistance of the Central Bank of Belize. We’re forming a partnership so that we could at least equip the most remote areas… and we are going to get those tracking devices, but we’re finding means, and it’s not only tracking devices. We are in the era now that we need body cameras to ensure that if they meet Guatemalans, that we get the precise information back to camp.”
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