And while things have simmered down at the Sarstoon for now, what other operations may be on the horizon for the BDF? As the humanitarian and security crisis in Haiti looms ever larger, Belize - along with other CARICOM countries - has agreed to join a multi national force to send soldiers and Coast Guardsmen to the embattled nation. Presently 30 soldiers and 20 guardsmen are preparing for the deployment - but will it happen? The Brigadier general says that's not for him to decide.
Brig. Gen. Azariel Loria, Commander, BDF
"That upfront that is not for me to decide that is a government decision, and the ministry of national defense is working, and the national security Council the office of the Prime Minister and the government to make such a decision in principle the government has said that we may support on some of our requirements that have been met. At this point in time we continue to try to access some of those objectives in order for us to be confident enough to deploy. At this point in time our Canadian partners are offering training in Jamaica to continue the preparation for a such a deployment and even that I have to ask for approval because the force is not mine, it belongs to the people and the government of Belize and so I have to ask permission I have to ask for such approval and I believe that as we speak that approval has gone to the ministry of national defense for approval for us to do that month training and return to Belize and I believe that we will not deploy or we should not deploy until all our requests have been met."
