A high level meeting was held today between the the U.S. Embassy and the heads of the Police, Customs, BDF and the DPP's office. The Americans were represented by Chargé d'Affaires, Leyla Moses-Ones and Political/ Economic and International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Chief Andie De Arment, while the Belize side was led by Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa, and the CEO's of his Ministry as well as the CEO's for Security and Defence, Kevin Arthurs and General Dario Tapia. Director of Immigration Debra Baptist-Estrada, Customs Comptroller Estella Leslie, Coast Guard Commandant Elton Bennett, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams and DPP Cheryl Vidal were also there.
A release from the embassy says they discussed, quote, "the full range of U.S. - Belize security cooperation and shared democracy goals… (reviewing) security developments and reaffirmed the importance of enhanced coordination on counternarcotics efforts and strengthening citizen and border security in Belize," end quote.
These bilateral meetings are held on a bi-annual basis to work out strategies for "increased cooperation on national and regional security issues." Minister Musa is quoted as saying "with the continued strong relations between our countries we will fight the organized criminal elements…," end quote.
