So, while that's the long-term outlook for the Coast Guard, the organization must also contend with the COVID-19 pandemic in the short term. Today, the returning Commandant told us that the Coast Guardsmen are embracing the need for vaccination and that at this time, 60% of the members have gotten the jab:
Captain Elton Bennett - Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"In the short term, our biggest challenge is COVID, not specifically the Belize Coast Guard, but the broader government and nation of Belize. So, having the Coast Guard up to standard in terms of combatting COVID is one priority. We've been doing well. The Acting Commandant, Commander Soberanis, did a really exceptional job throughout the past 12 months to ensure that the Coast Guard maintained its combat effectiveness. And as of now, we have zero cases in the Belize Coast Guard, and that's because we did an exceptional job. I want to ensure that this continues. So, that's my main focus, to ensure that we continue with those measures that we implemented over time, and to ensure that our vaccination program continues. As of last week Friday, we were up at 50%. We continued this week, I think we're almost to 60% now. The plan is to get up to 75% before the completion of August. So, my immediate plan is to ensure that the Belize Coast Guard gets up to standard with the vaccination program, ensure that the Coast Guard is healthy and that we can operate. Once we can do that, then we can continue to project ourselves beyond the limits of the organization itself, and do what we need to do to support security and defense countrywide."
