Deputy Commander of U.S. Southern Command General Glenn Spears is in Belize on a familiarization tour. The general who assumed his post in June of last year today paid a courtesy call on the Belize Defense Force Commander General Lloyd Gillett. When that was done, he took questions from the media. 7_NEWS_ was at Price Barracks this morning and here's what he said.
Brig. Gen. Lloyd Gillett,
"We are grateful to have a partner like U.S. SOUTHCOM to team up with to make the contribution to regional and hemispheric security. This corporation builds capacity to combat the transnational threats that have such a negative impact on our region. I trust that the culture of cooperation between Belize and the United States will continue and be an example for our other international partners as we continue to confront those transnational threats that require transnational responses."
General Glenn Spears,
"It is through such programs as the New Horizons, the medical readiness and training exercises, and other collective security events that we learn from one another, that we improve our collective ability to confront transnational threats that we build upon the very strong friendships between the United States and Belize. Operationally it is very important for me to be able to see first hand and to learn first hand on how well our U.S. forces supporting the Belize forces. What are we learning because we learn much from the Belize forces and myself, I know that recently my good friend had a chance to visit Belize and he and I together are then able to work with our respective commands to better focus the areas where we work together with Belize."
Spears also visited BDF observation posts at Cadenas and Tree Tops he is scheduled to meet with the Minister of Defense Cordel Hyde to discuss matters of mutual interest. He leaves the country tomorrow.
