MFA Says He Was In Belize

There's been another flare-up along the western border with Guatemala, and this time it's proved deadly! And it happened only days after that country's Foreign Minister and Defense Chief visited the adjacency zone in Peten, to assess the needs of residents living in that volatile border region.

An exchange of deadly gunfire last Saturday, January 28th. between Belize Security Forces and suspected Guatemalan poachers is said to have left at least one Guatemalan dead and another injured. The Guatemalan newspaper, Siglo Veinte Uno in an article published today, reports that as a result of the incident, 29 year old Guatemalan national Juan Choc Chub is dead, and his brother Daniel was seriously injured. The report claims that the deadly incident took place in the village of Mount Olives located in the Dolores, Peten area of Guatemala.

The latest confrontation along the sensitive border has triggered a statement of condemnation from Guatemala's Foreign Ministry, and a personal call from that country's newly elected President Otto Perez Molina for a thorough investigation by the Belize Government into the incident.

Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alexis Rosado confirms the incident took place, but says it happened squarely within Belize sovereign territory, not within the adjacency zone as is being reported by the Guatemalan press.

Alexis Rosado - CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Belize - Via Telephone
"My understanding is that a cross-fire occurred in Belize on Saturday - and well outside the adjacency zone in Belizean territory. Now, the reason why there was such a delay in airing of this story is that apparently, the BDF was not aware that there were any injuries when these cross-fires happened. So, reports coming out from Guatemala didn't reach us until Monday that there were injuries and a possible fatality. So we are looking into the matter; we have also asked the OAS to assist us in establishing the facts and to help our police in conducting their investigation."

Jim McFadzean
"Any determination yet what triggered the cross-fire?"

Alexis Rosado
"Well, you know, in those areas where Channel 7 has reported on a lot - and other news media - the Chiquibul area has become very active. We keep getting illegal activities in the area, and we keep sending cautions and warnings. The police and BDF have repeatedly had to deal with people who are doing things that they shouldn't be doing in our national parks."

Jim McFadzean
"Guatemalan President Otto Perez has said that he expects that his foreign minister will be meeting with Minister Elrington next week - sometime soon - and he expects that this incident be given top priority."

Alexis Rosado
"That would be normal in a situation like this. We would expect to discuss a wide range of things, and clearly this would have to be one of them, because as you know, the Chiquibul National park, and all protected areas, have been very active with illegal activities. We are trying to find ways on our side but also jointly with the Guatemalan and the OAS assistance to try to stem the tide of illegal activities."

The meeting between the two Foreign Ministers is set for this coming Monday in Belize. The men are expected to discuss a number of bilateral issues, but foremost on the agenda will be the latest border incident.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a press release yesterday in which it states: (quote):"The Government of Belize wishes to express its regret for any injury or loss of life that may have occurred, and offers its deepest sympathies to the families of those affected by the incident."

Channel 7