For a small country, Belize has a long and spectacular coastline, but what to us means miles of sea front, means a vast, un-policed area of vulnerability to security experts. Most worried is the United States, which is the destination for tons of cocaine bound for the U.S. market that can easily find safe harbor on Belize's coast. That's why the U.S. government today made another donation to the nascent Belize National Coast Guard. We were there to look that gift horse square in the mouth.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
The donation includes night vision devices, binoculars, bulletproof vests, flotation devices, anchors, even lengths of rope. U.S. Ambassador Robert Dieter says this is one way of making the region safe.
Robert Dieter, U.S. Ambassador to Belize
"The United States government and I appreciate the opportunity to work with the government of Belize and the Coast Guard. A fundamental component of the fight against drug trafficking is to prevent the encroachment of international criminal organizations upon the democracies of the region. As the representative of the United States Government, one of the United States Embassy's important missions is to deter the trafficking of narcotics that transit the sea, land, and air routes to Belize. The people of the United States stand as willing partners with the people of Belize in pursuit of this common goal. Together we can prevent the undermining of civil society and the human devastation that inevitably follows the proliferation of the narcotics trade. The donation of this equipment is a further demonstration of our commitment to stop this evil scourge wherever it is encountered."
And while the U.S. sees this contributing to regional security, for Minister of Home Affairs Ralph Fonseca, it's much simpler: this equipment will improve the operational capacity of the Coast Guard.
Hon. Ralph Fonseca, Minister of Home Affairs
"Today is another important occasion for the continued development of the Belize Coast Guard. The Coast Guard is one of our government's recent initiatives to strengthen the maritime security and we are grateful for the support we have been receiving from the US Government in developing this initiative. We are most certain that our Coast Guard will ensure the best use and maintenance of the equipment."
The donation comes through the U.S. Coast Guard and the Narcotics Affairs Section. It is valued at US$40,000.
