The Belize Defence Force (BDF), with support from the Organization of American States' Program of Assistance for Arms and Ammunition Control (PACAM), has successfully destroyed more than 2,000 obsolete munitions that posed a potential threat to nearby communities. The operation, conducted between April 13 and May 22, 2026, resulted in the destruction of 2,088 munitions weighing approximately 20.6 metric tons or 45,415.23 pounds. According to officials, many of the munitions were more than 40 years old and had deteriorated due to corrosion, water infiltration, and prolonged storage under unsafe conditions. Some of the aging explosives were located near civilian communities, increasing concerns about accidental detonations and public safety risks.
Military personnel carried out the destruction of 81mm mortar grenades, high explosive rounds, illumination rounds, white phosphorus munitions, and other explosive charges through controlled open burning and open detonation procedures. CEO in the Ministry of Defence and Border Security, Francis Usher, also welcomed the initiative, noting that the destroyed munitions came from both military stockpiles and unexploded ordnance recovered from various locations across the country. Usher added that if the public knows of any potential UXO's throughout the country, please call or message the BDF Watchkeeper at at 610 6037.
