Sad news: From police reports, I see there was a new incident at Rio Frio cave in the Pine Ridge. Yesterday afternoon, a group of tourists and their guide were held up by what is believed (based on their accents) to be a gang of Guatemalans, armed with pump shotguns. Fortunately no one was hurt, but the bandits took money, cell phones, jewelry, etc.

--Lan Sluder

The Police Department and the BDF will be all over this quickly. The Ministry of National Security is definitely pulling out all of the stops to stamp out this outrageous, violent behaviour.

We as communities will need to be more vigilant and report incidents and suspicions immediately. Yes it sounds like the "big brother" syndrome - but these gangs do not act alone and they must be recognized by some of us - it is time to whip this crime's butt and take our communities and our livelihood in tourism back from these outlaws.

Are these victims on their own when it comes to their loss, or is there any scheme for compensation from the public purse? If as I suspect there isn't, isn't it irresponsible of us if we don't strongly recommend to tourists that they have insurance adequate to cover these incidents? Which means we have to come clean about such crimes?

Not again! I thought all tours into the Pine Ridge still had to have an "escort" or is that just tours to Caracol?

No escort needed to Rio Frio.

--Lan Sluder

Per 7 News belize:

"the group was escorted to the Rio Frio Caves by armed soldiers as per standard procedure. But around two thirty that afternoon after the convoy of vehicles reached the site, the security personnel allegedly left the area to go and meet another group of tourists who were waiting for a BDF escort. " . . . . .

http://www.7newsbelize.com/sstory.php?nid=13323

How convenient that their armed escort departed shortly before the incident. Would you call this 'perfect timing' on the part of the bandits or could there possibly be some collaboration here? The bandits waiting with shotguns until the guards leave? Really!

When did an armed escort become manditory? I drove there 3 years ago in a rented 4x4 alone.

I drove to Caracol.

back in '07, when the probs were happening before, we just drove the 4x4 to rio frio too. no escort. we did see this as we were returning to the parking area:

http://www.pbase.com/sweetjane/image/79811081/medium

that said, i suppose the whole time we were in the cave, it could have happened to us as well.