Security Forces Concerned About Ruta Maya’s Two Potential Finish Lines

Coordinating security for a four‑day race like the La Ruta Maya is already a huge undertaking. But this year, law enforcement is juggling an extra challenge, a possible split finish in Belize City because of the paddlers’ boycott. That means officers may have to secure two end‑points, one near the Haulover Bridge by the Grand Resort and another at the Civic Center by the BelCan Bridge. News Five’s Shane Williams asked security officials how they plan to keep thousands of paddlers and spectators safe with the race potentially ending in two different places. According to the C.E.O. in the Ministry of Defense and the Commissioner of Police, it will take tight coordination, extra manpower, and cooperation from the athletes to pull it off.

 

Francis Usher, CEO, Ministry of Defense

“We partner, so the BDF and the Coast Guard provides safe boats and they partner with an NGO called BISART as well, the Belize Institute for Search and Rescue Training. Everyone does their part, everyone pulls their weight to ensure that the paddlers are safe to ensure that the race can go on without any hiccups. The river is unforgiving. And so we all have to do our part. And the paddlers themselves have a part to play in that they have to ensure that they are ready. They are practicing the safe practices. You have to follow. Rules are put there for a reason, practice the, or continue with the safe practices and then that’ll ensure that the race can continue. I believe the boycott that’s being spoken about is paddling together. So if you’re together in a group, then you have, you can look out for each other. It’s a little interesting the way it’s turning out in that they’re talking about unity and paddling together as a group, but then they’re putting a station prize at BelCan. So how that wa work? Nobody ah want paddle together if there’s a station prize.”

 

Shane Williams

“What are the challenges in policing and events? A four day event like this.”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado, Commissioner of Police

“It require a lot of resources, a lot of manpower, but thankfully we have. Brought all our police officers who are on leave, who are on short leave, and those who are on staff duties to assist us in policing the event. So I’m confident that we’ll be able to make the peace throughout the event.”

 

Shane Williams

“And does moving it to the Haulover area make it easier for policing?”

 

Dr. Richard Rosado

“Honestly, I wish that the association, the organizers and everybody would work in concert so that we have one stop rather than multiple stops because then it would stretch the police officers. It stretch our manpower.”

 

Harrison Says No Plan to Cancel Ruta Maya Partnerships

 

As paddlers shift their focus to the start of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge, uncertainty continues to trail the iconic race. Officials say this year’s contentious decision to move the finish line stems from planned bridge construction in Belize City, a change they view as necessary to avoid future disruptions. But comments from Sadani Harrison, of the race’s founding family, hinting that the Belize Canoe Association could assume control of the event next year have sparked fresh debate over its leadership. Vice‑chairman Roberto Harrison defends the finish‑line adjustment and describes the suggestion of a takeover as premature, noting that any transition in stewardship would require meaningful dialogue first.

 

Roberto Harrison, Vice-Chairman, La Ruta Maya Committee

“Knowing that the couple of the bridges will be demolished next year, we anticipated that would’ve caused some searching on where we would want to end the race. So we looked at several options and we decided that perhaps the first option would’ve been at Grand Resort. And it’s a test. If it works out well then we want to maintain it at least in the next three years because those bridges will not be finished until or at least the BelCan, three maybe four years to, to be completed. I think it’s unfortunate that he made that statement without perhaps looking at me as being the oldest person in this committee to say that. We have to honor an agreement that they have with Love FM RSV, so to make a premature statement like that was perhaps not the best at the time.”

 

Reporter

“And so you can confirm that is not true.”

 

Roberto Harrison

“I can’t say it’s not true because that was his position. At least my position is there’s dialogue to be had if there’s any change of leadership, quote unquote for this race.”

 

Mixed Feelings About Change to Ruta Maya Ending

 

Day one of the La Ruta Maya Belize River Challenge kicked off with plenty of excitement, and a few mixed emotions. We caught up with fans and paddlers along the riverbank to hear how they’re feeling about this year’s race. While some spectators are still getting used to the change in the final stretch of the route, most paddlers told us they’re simply thrilled to be back on the water. For them, it’s all about the adventure, the challenge, and soaking in every moment on the river.

 

(CLIP TO BE ADDED)

 

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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