Despite Anti-Narcotic Exclusion, Usher Says US Communication Constant

How did a Guatemalan aircraft enter Belizean airspace during an anti-drug operation that did not involve Belize? That question has placed regional security coordination under scrutiny. National Security CEO Francis Usher says Belize remains in constant contact with its international partners. While he declined to disclose the specifics, he confirmed that officials discussed the operation and said Prime Minister John Briceño receives regular briefings on regional security matters. Here’s more from Francis Usher.

 

Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of National security

“Well, we speak on almost a daily basis. We speak about a wide range of topics, that one included. Through formal lines of communication and informal lines of communication, I think regional security is the most important thing to both of us. But I won’t get into the details of the various different conversations that we have on a daily basis The Prime Minister receives various different briefings and updates, as I’m sure he does from every ministry. Remember, he is the leader of the government. And therefore, every different ministry has to brief him on what is going on. The police department, the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Coast Guard put together intelligence and operations brief that are passed on to the minister and that are passed on to the national security council for the briefing of the Prime Minister.”

 

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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