We also asked Loria about multiple firsthand reports of soldiers at outposts in the west - who allow themselves to be plied by Guatemalans for something as small as a liter bottle of soda. Loria didn't agree with our assessment:
Jules Vasquez
"But so I'm asking is it becoming increasingly difficult to manage a disciplined force when indiscipline is so widespread in our society? Sir, I tell you the truth at OP's all over you got soldier who is making people pass in exchange for one soda for the big soda these pass over from on the Guatemalan side. This is the nature of things."
Azariel Loria, Brigadier General
"Assumptions, assumptions."
Jules Vasquez
"Facts."
Azariel Loria, Brigadier General
"Show me."
Jules Vasquez
"I mean these are first-hand accounts."
Azariel Loria, Brigadier General
"Where?"
Jules Vasquez
"At OP's, I dont want to name it, but let's say it happens at the conservation post in the Chiquibul. I know that it happens there, and I know that it happens."
Azariel Loria, Brigadier General
"Show me."
Jules Vasquez
"Sir, I can have videotape evidence."
Azariel Loria, Brigadier General
"It's Assumptions then because..."
Jules Vasquez
"It's reports. It's not assumptions. It's reports because I've gotten first-hand accounts."
Azariel Loria, Brigadier General
"Reports of alleged. So we have to establish a basis and not saying this is what is happening because you're saying a different message to the people And I am going to say, it could be a valid assumption, yes, because we are just human beings. We are infallible. We are professionally trained. We are properly trained here Some might fall into temptation. I am not saying that the Belize is hundred percent perfect. No, nobody's perfect and it may happen, but whenever it happens we try to investigate it to the best of our knowledge, to the best of our ability as we could and when we find out that the person is accepting bribes or soliciting things that are of that are of an illegal nature we deal with it."
