After more than three decades of dedicated service, Belize Defense Force Commander, Brigadier General Azariel Loria is preparing to hang up his uniform. But it turns out that his retirement isn’t happening just yet. Loria previously announced that his contract was coming to an end and that he’d soon begin pre-retirement leave. But the government asked him to stay on a little longer. Today, we caught up with the general to talk about his extended service, his reflections on the journey, and who might be next in line to take the reins.
Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, B.D.F.
“I was to be on pre-retirement leave at this point in time because I have quite a bit of leave that I have not taken. And usually as senior officer, we tend to compile a bit of leave. The ministry has decided to keep me on for another three, four, perhaps five months. But my contract expires on the twenty-first of December of this year. So from the they extended for me to continue serve until September October, there about after which I will have to proceed on pre-retirement leave.”
Reporter
“Who succeeds you?”
Brigadier General Azariel Loria
“I don’t know. I don’t know. That is not for me to say it’s not my call that’s above my pay scale. We have some candidates and. For sure the ministry and the government of the will ask for some of my recommendations. And we have prepared some senior officers there that they’re very good candidates. All of them have their strengths and some little weaknesses. But there are strong candidates. And at this point in time, I cannot say. I cannot say. But in due time, I will make my recommendations, and we have this succession plan in place now. Yes. Not like before, before people kept the general kept asking and asking for extension. Not this general.”