‘Millin’ Espat Reportedly Comes Under Gunfire Near Adjacency Zone

Former Cayo West Area Representative Jorge “Millin” Espat says someone fired shots at him while he was on his family’s property near the Belize–Guatemala adjacency zone. Espat says the incident happened on Belizean territory and that he was lawfully carrying a licensed firearm at the time. He claims the gunfire came from across the border on the Guatemalan side. According to Espat, Guatemalan authorities arrived shortly after and conducted checks in the area. Despite reports and video circulating online, he says authorities detained no one. In a social media post, Espat stressed his right to access his property and said he will not be intimidated. While he praised Guatemalan authorities for what he described as a professional and courteous response, Espat has not filed a report with Belizean police. Here is ASP Stacy Smith with police’s response so far.

 

ASP Stacy Smith, Staff Officer

“I have spoken to the officer in command of Benque Viejo Town who has advised me that he became aware of this situation via social media. He confirmed that Mr. Espat did not make any report to the Benque Viejo Police Station and the commander indicated that he will be reaching out to Mr. Espat to get his commentary on it. The commander of Benque Viejo also told me that he had reached out to the officials in the bordering town of Suchitan, I believe, and they in fact confirmed that there was a disturbance, but they did not provide much information aside from that.”

 

Shane Williams

“Can you say, what is the protocol for dealing with an investigation in that adjacency zone area for police?”

 

ASP Stacy Smith

“I certainly a police report would need to initiate – be given to initiate any actions, but I believe this is a question that could be better answered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as it’s if the circumstances are as they are said to be in social, in the social media. And I believe it is one that touches and concerns the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and they would be better poised to answer this question.”

 

The incident once again puts a spotlight on ongoing tensions along the adjacency zone and raises fresh concerns about the safety of Belizeans who live and work near the border. We contacted Millin Espat today for comment, but he declined, saying he does not want to make the matter bigger than it already is.

 

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: