High-Level Belizean Defense Leaders Discuss Strategy and Cooperation with U.S. Counterparts

A high-level delegation of senior Belizean defence leaders, led by the Minister of National Defence and Border Security, Florencio Marin Jr., returned to Belize this past weekend after a series of strategic meetings with U.S. defence officials in the National Capital Region last week.

Joining Minister Marin were Chief of Defence Staff Rear Admiral John Borland, Commander of the Belize Defence Force Brigadier General Asariel Loria, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, and Director General of National Security Ambassador Oliver Del Cid.

Over four days, the delegation engaged in discussions with key U.S. government officials, including Jana Nelson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Western Hemisphere at the Pentagon, and Ruben Lopez, Deputy Director of the Perry Center. The talks focused on enhancing security cooperation, military training, and education, as well as consultations on the development and implementation of a National Security Strategy and the conceptualization of a National Defence Strategy for Belize.