Bravery Is No Substitute for Border Security

Courage may have carried Belizeans up the Sarstoon, but Opposition Leader Tracy Panton says bravery alone cannot protect the country’s borders. Prime Minister John Briceño praised the civilians and security personnel who participated in the recent expedition, calling them courageous. Panton agrees, but says Belizeans should never have to repeatedly prove that the Sarstoon belongs to them. She argues that government must move beyond symbolic acts and properly equip the armed forces to confront any challenge to Belize’s territorial integrity.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“On September 10th, fifty-three Belizeans travelled on the Sarstoon and faced twelve vessels attempting to turn them back. I salute every Belizean that was present. Their courage was real, patriotism was real, but we must never confuse civilian courage with national security. What happened on the Sarstoon should trouble us. Belizean were challenged while travelling in territory that belongs to us. Brave citizens found themselves on the frontline of a sovereignty issue. That cannot become normal. The Belize Defense Force must have the equipment, resources and unequivocal political support necessary to protect our territorial integrity and our people. Belizeans should never be left to prove our sovereignty through civilian courage alone.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

Watch the full newscast here: