Are B.D.F. Soldiers Accepting Bribes Because They Are Poorly Paid?

In a recent interview with News 5, Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander of the Belize Defence Force, responded to allegations that some B.D.F. soldiers may be accepting bribes due to inadequate pay. General Loria acknowledged that investigations are ongoing but defended the current salary structure, describing it as “average” and “appropriate” under current conditions.

The General outlined that the B.D.F., along with the Coast Guard, is currently undergoing a salary review led by the Joint Compensation and Classification Committee. He said, “Our salaries is being reviewed at the moment and it’s not only for the BDF but also for the Coast Guard. And, also, I believe that there were some allowances approved to the air wing pilots and to the whole of the BDF for us to start to draw jungle and bush allowances. So it is something that the government is looking into. And I know that, with this level of cooperation that we are having from the government, it is something very positive that all of us are looking into and seeing the results.”

This process, he said, is aimed at adjusting—not increasing—pay scales in light of the recent minimum wage hike. “No, it’s not a pay increase. We’re not getting a pay raise. It’s an adjustment where we’re looking in ways in which our pay scale could be adjusted because of that minimum wage that came into effect.”

When asked about reports of soldiers taking bribes from Guatemalans in the Machakilha area, General Loria admitted that bribery does occur, though he maintained it is isolated to “rogue commanders.” He explained that incidents involving Guatemalans attempting to bribe B.D.F. patrol commanders have been recorded and reported as part of a larger investigation into illegal activities in border areas.

“The B.D.F. is not immune,” he said. “But we maintain rigorous supervision. Our increased patrols are aimed at deterring illegal logging and other unlawful activities along the border.”

General Loria made it clear that the issue of bribery is not widespread within the force. The investigation, he added, has now been extended to include additional checkpoints beyond Machakilha.

PM Briceño on Guatemalans Bribing B.D.F. Soldiers with Chicken