Ministry of National Security Condemns Armed Incursion

Back to the encounter between Guatemalan civilians and the B.D.F. at Camp Valentin. Late this evening, the Ministry of National Security issued a release saying that the group of Guatemalans, some armed with rifles, shotguns and machetes, entered into Belize in the area of Valentin Camp where the Government is constructing a conservation post. According to the release, the Guatemalans told the B.D.F. that they intended to destroy the conservation post, but then retreated across the border.  The Ministry confirmed that the B.D.F. has quickly deployed re-enforcement and is firmly and completely in control of the area, and construction of the conservation post continues. According to the release, the Foreign Ministry has communicated to Guatemalan authorities “Outrage at this blatant armed incursion by Guatemalan civilians.” Both Guatemala and O.A.S. officials have been dispatched to the Guatemalan village to try to de-escalate tensions in an area and the ministry says that they have asked the Guatemalan authorities to dissuade their civilians from any further such actions since, “the Belize military will carry out its mandate to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Belize.” Furthermore, says the release, the government has alerted the international community of the latest incursion into our territory and that every diplomatic effort will be used to ensure that the international community is fully aware of the aggression by Guatemalan civilians in the event that our military has to respond with appropriate force.