We also asked CEO Bennett about a successful high risk operation to rescue a Guatemalan girl who had been held hostage for over a hundred days. She was being held in southern Belize near San Roman village. They rescued the girl but her captor, Guatemalan Jose Gilberto Duarte escaped. We asked Bennett how they did it:
Elton Bennett, CEO - Ministry of Home Affairs
"That there was an outstanding operation. I think the information security was well handled. The intelligence came in. We did not act prematurely. It was a deliberate planning on the Belize Special Assignment Group. They did their intelligence surveillance, they planned based on the different course of actions that were available to them. They went into the house and they were able to rescue that child. That is remarkable to work on, on the security forces worked."
Reporter
"What about the fact that the person escaped but left behind? I think a firearm I'm not sure what else."
Elton Bennett, CEO - Ministry of Home Affairs
"So he's still wanted and We're still looking for him. And, we will do everything we can to recapture him. But the fact that we were able to, to free, that victim is, is something that we are very happy with. We're very pleased with the performance of our forces in that regard."
Reporter
"How Was the intelligence obtained? Was it counterpart to counterpart?.."
Elton Bennett, CEO - Ministry of Home Affairs
"I cannot speak to the to the intelligence part of it. But, evidently, the the team received very good intelligence that they were able to execute accordingly."
