Representatives of COCESNA, the Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services, are in Belize for 2-days. They are here to meet and discuss the continued management of the airspaces of all the member countries, and at this time, Belize is hosting these high-level meetings.
And, of you don't know, COCESNA provides air navigation services for the territories of its Central American Member States: Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. Belize joined COCESNA in 1996.
At this time, Andre Perez, the Minister responsible for Civil Aviation, is representing Belize, and he is hosting representatives from the other member states for these 2-day discussions. The biggest news coming out of today's meeting is the announcement that finally, in only a few more months, Belize will get its very first primary radar. COCESNA will incur the expense on behalf of Belize, and it is estimated that this state-of-the-art piece of equipment will significantly bolster law enforcement in Belize's airspace.
That means narco planes can be tracked within Belize in real-time - giving police a major rapid response advantage.
That new radar for Belize featured prominently in the meetings of the COCESNA reps, which happened today in San Pedro Town. Our news team was out on the island today, and we got a chance to briefly observe the high-level discussions. Here's what the CEO of COCESNA and Minister Andre Perez told us today in an interview shortly after today's talks:
Abner Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
"The CU mentioned as well that previously we've only had a secondary radar, and in fact today we are discussing not only about installing a brand new primary radar that is coming to Belize but also the discussion as well of harmonizing up to being homogeneous in terms of all the different radars from across the region with the same company from Europe that is providing this and that is giving us this account that we're actually purchasing the radar. Added to that as well is making sure that all these radars homogeneous and when the time comes for upgrades, we will continue. So, it is not about installing a radar and eventually it becomes obsolete, it is being at the cutting-edge technology, and using it for upgrades and that is something that was discussed this morning, very important. So, the installation also of the radar is also a big logistics that we are discussing and as well in the previous meeting we discussed that maybe we will be able to perhaps put everything together with the primary radar and the secondary radar in the same location. We must mention as well that this radar is coming equipped as well being able to provide met services that is also something discussed with the Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development as well that it is the service we will be able to provide. Also, not only for aeronavigation but as well for vessels out at sea, for transponders. So, it is already prepared for that and it is laying out the table for the long term and long haul. So, we are extremely proud and excited and proud to be a part of this organization that recognizes the need and obviously Belize is already making a difference. Hopefully by the end of the year we will be able to start the installation of this radar."
Reporter
"Sir, I have to ask specifically about the capabilities, like I said, maybe I might misunderstand but the secondary radar we've had has not been equipped or does not give us the capability to track those uncooperative A craft operators, the non-cooperating that turn off their transponders. Does this primary radar solve that problem for law enforcement issues?"
Abner Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
"Absolutely it does and that is exactly what we are doing it for and I'm tying it up with all the different radars in the region as well. That's important and that send a message out there that the entire Central America is providing surveillance that is needed. Certainly, it will."
Reporter
"So, we won't have to depend solely on intelligence, we will be able to track real time?"
Abner Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
"Absolutely."
We note that back in January 2020, COCESNA and the Civil Aviation authorities under the former Barrow Administration signed an agreement for Belize to acquire this primary radar. Unfortunately, COVID struck and all plans had to be put on hold.
During our conversation this afternoon with the Minister of Civil Aviation, we asked about the timeline of the delivery of this radar and the Belizean personnel who will operate and maintain it. Here's what he had to say:
Abner Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
"Well that has already passed from the month before that has been confirmed and as a matter of fact, that official letter coming from COCESNA hasn't been presented to Cabinet and to the Prime Minister as well. Sent to him officially that the funding has been secured from COCESNA. Incidentally, the representatives from this company are coming in from Europe to do a further representation for us because we have to discuss logistics and a way to think about people as to the installation of this radar and of course it has to be in a very secure place because installing a radar of that magnitude and of $8 million USD certainly has to have some way of security, very important. So, tomorrow that will be one of the issues we are discussing and I'm proud to be hosting them tomorrow to discuss and that's a big issue, a big topic to discuss tomorrow."
Reporter
"Will we have the expertise in Belize to be able to operate the primary radar at its highest peak?"
Abner Andre Perez, Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
"Yes, actually what will happen it that we will have to take, we did discuss that as well, that was at the very beginning when we spoke to the company that is to provide the radar. And, I did raise that question in particular and actually what we'll do is that we will have to get technical people from Belize to go for that full training to learn how to operate that radar. They will even have to go to Spain to get that, so when the time comes, we will be having those people going there for training."
