Last night, we took you to San Pedro for the first of a 2-day visit from representatives of 6 allied nations that make up COCESNA.
As told you, this inter-regional body manages the airspace of all the member countries: Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica.
You heard Andre Perez, the Minister of the Blue Economy and Civil Aviation, announce last night that the organization will fund a 16-million-dollar primary radar for Belize, which would significantly aid local law enforcement in the fight against narco planes in Belize's airspace.
We also asked Perez about the rotating leadership of COCESNA, where the presidency of the Board of Directors is rotated yearly. So, each country gets an opportunity to lead as president every six years. Belize's turn at that leadership post is inching closer and closer.
Also, every five years, the executive director of COCESNA is rotated. Belize's turn, we understand, will come up in 2023, and the former civil aviation authorities from the previous government identified a suitable Belizean candidate. That candidate is highly qualified, and he was basically groomed for this post. He currently has 20 years of working experience with COCESNA, and we understand that the only pre-requisite he may not have is a master's degree in Administration. Aside from that, he may be one of the most qualified technical staff in COCESNA.
But despite all that, earlier this week, persistent reports to our newsroom were that he might be passed over - and Guatemala's representative to COCESNA could be re-elected to the Executive Director post for an additional five years. We are told that decisions like this issue must be unanimous. So, Belize would have to agree to defer its opportunity; otherwise, Belize would have a strong veto position against being passed over.
The allegation that Belize was considering forfeiting its opportunity at the executive directorship is particularly irksome to some, because that decision was supposed to happen today, one day before the 10th of September.
Yesterday, we got an opportunity to ask Andre Perez, the Civil Aviation Minister, about this allegation that Belize was giving up its turn at the executive directorship to allow Guatemala a second go. He told us that we were misinformed. Here's how he answered that inquiry:
Daniel Ortiz
"Whether or not Belize will seek to secure its turn at the rotating executive directorship of COCESNA, which comes around every five years. The last opportunity we gave it up and some Belizeans in the industry were disappointed that we gave up this major opportunity to launch ourselves on the national stage - the world stage of aviation."
Abner Andre Perez - Minister of the Blue Economy & Civil Aviation
"First of all, there is no executive - let me - clarification - there is no executive directorate that exists there. I think what you are referring to is the rotation of where Belize - the countries eventually sit at the Council, lead and chair meetings, and become the president for at least three years. And currently, it is El Salvador. Yes, I will tell you that in the past, Belize was skipped, and I don't want to be calling on names or anything, but as such, because of lack of political will and interest, as well, that was not there. And certainly when the term comes for Belize's - I think it's coming in two years' time. I think. It's not next year, 2024, Belize will be prepared. And yours truly will be - hopefully, we're still there as a Minister of Civil Aviation. As long as I'm there, I'm ready to take the helm and chair those meetings. That's the most important thing. As long as we are here in government, that's not going to happen. We are ready for it."
This morning, the allegation resurfaced again with details that allegedly, the COCESNA Board would make this decision today about the executive directorship during day 2 of the meetings in Belize.
We contacted both Minister Andre Perez and his CEO, Kennedy Carrillo, via WhatsApp for clarification.
When we asked the Minister about this supposed concession from Belize, he responded by saying, quote, "Let them show you proof of it. This is ridiculous. We move on. I hate to divulge, but... this... issue is not even on our agenda... So many matters to discuss." End quote.
In response to our inquiry, CEO Carrillo told us, quote, "Both the Minister and I confirmed... that we are excited about this opportunity and there is no way we won't take it. If the radar was to be acquired three years ago, it should have been. Don't let people play politics with something so important." End quote.
