Government Challenged to Prove Belize Can Defend Itself

How far is Belize prepared to go to defend the Sarstoon? Days after renewed tensions on the river, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton is challenging the government to explain whether Belize’s armed forces are equipped to respond. She also wants to know whether the Briceño administration has considered recalling Belize’s ambassador to Guatemala.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“We need to tell the Belizean people whether we have the capabilities that we need to defend our sovereignty and where we intend to garner the support of allies where deficiencies exist. When our brave soldiers, the men of the Belize Defense Force and the Coast Guard face intimidation, a clear and strong and firm diplomatic response must follow. Has there been any thought to recall our ambassador from Guatemala as a way of strong protest that what is occurring in the Sarstoon cannot and will not be countenances by us as a population.”

 

 

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.

 

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