And while it is a current flashpoint, the Sarstoon isn't the only area in Belize enduring Guatemalan incursions. The Chiquibul is under sustained pressure from Guatemalan poachers and cattle ranchers, while loggers and farmers are pushing into the Columbia River Forest Reserve.
The Columbia Forest in particular is remote - it takes 7 days of hiking to get there. That complicates patrols for the BDF where it's harder for them to maintain a consistent presence. Commander Loria says they need more soldiers.
Brigadier Gen. Azariel Loria, Commander, BDF
"In the past we had problems in the Chiquibul, The Chiquibul is under control but the Chiquibul and the Columbia Forest Reserve they are very remote areas. We need more presence Of course we need presence. It's an area where we would need more presence from government be it the forest department or whichever NGO present at the Chiquibul we have the friends for conservation that are assisting in such endeavors and operations. We in the South because we have been having a lot of concerns with the transnational drug trade. We have not been able to focus, despite the fact that, that we are responsible for the territorial integrity of Belize. We have to pay a degree of attention to to the environment and the Guatemalans, they continue to venture across into Belize and Conduct illegal logging but, we have conducted two major operations, one in March and one that happened last month. And we have discovered what you have seen on TV. And We will continue to conduct more operations in that area in the coming days. And, we have proposed, a number of, of, of activities that we intend to do, to the Minister of National Defense on border Security. And one of them is to increase our presence, and not temporary presence, but, more continued long term presence in that area."
