Belizean Lieutenant Awarded Prestigious Chevening Scholarship

Lieutenant Edwin Varela of the Belize Defence Force has been awarded a coveted Chevening Scholarship to pursue graduate studies in the United Kingdom.

Varela, who currently serves as a Geo-Intelligence Officer with the Belize Coast Guard, has built a career at the intersection of science, national security, and technology. According to the British High Commission in Belize, his expertise ranges from explosive ordnance disposal and geospatial intelligence to pioneering the use of drone technology in Belize for defence, surveillance, research, and environmental monitoring.

This fall, he will begin a Master’s in Forensic Investigation at Cranfield University and the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, where he will deepen his knowledge in incident investigation, forensic science, and intelligence-led operations.

The British High Commission described him as “a lieutenant, a scholar, and a trailblazer,” highlighting his leadership, discipline, and vision for a purpose-driven future.

Varela joins a global network of emerging leaders selected for the UK Government’s Chevening Programme, which has supported outstanding professionals from Belize and around the world for more than 40 years.