And while we were able to grill Soberanis today at a media lunch, it may be among his last appearances as the acting Commandant.
Captain Elton Bennett will be returning to take back the reins at the end of July.
So, Soberanis wanted to thank the media for support during his term of leadership and told us more about how the experience has been for him. And while it is bittersweet, he said that the officers are more than ready to execute Captain Bennett's ten year plan.
Ag. Comm. Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
"The past year has been a humbling and learning experience for me, I must say that the Belize Coast Guard as an organization, the success has always been a team effort and this year really it was not me, it was the team, and so as a team we ensured that we maintain focus on our mission, on our mandate, we know what Captain Bennett's plan was and the strategy that he had developed for the Belize Coast Guard so it was just a matter of myself leading the team in ensuring that that plan and that strategy was executed through this year."
"The military is an organization that prepares you for all levels of command, it prepares you to make those tough decision in critical times, and my staff was prepared in being able to address those tough issues that arose through the year but I must say as it relates to the COVID pandemic that we got great support from the Ministry of Health, when the pandemic hit the Belize Coast Guard, Dr Diaz came in, she did an assessment of our spaces, of our facilities, provided great recommendations and guidance to us which we implemented and it allowed us to keep our numbers to a minimal."
"We look forward to Captain Bennett's return, we know what his vision is for the Coast Guard, prior to him going away to study in the UK at RCDS, he had developed a Coast Guard strategy for the next ten years, a 2020 to 2030 strategy so we have a plan as to how we're going to move forward. I'm sure when he goes back, Captain Bennett will now take us forward to the next level in executing the strategy that he has developed for the next ten year."
Soberanis term as commandant will end on August 3rd.
