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Ground broken for Forward Operating Base near Sarstoon Island

By on December 9, 2015
Forward Operating Base construction

Forward Operating Base construction

Punta Gorda Town, TOLEDO. Wednesday, December 9, 2015. Ground was broken today at the southern tip of Belize in the area of the Sarstoon Island for the construction of a forward operating base for the Belize National Coast Guard.

A contingent of government officials, including Minister of National Security John Saldivar, Minister of Education Patrick Faber and Minister of State in the Ministry of Public Service Frank Mena, traveled to the area for today’s ground breaking ceremony.

BDF soldier

BDF soldier

The short ceremony which was carried out under security cover from the Belize Defence Force, included a blessing of the spot where the building will stand and a feature address by Minister Saldivar.

During the official ceremony, Commander of the Belize Defence Force Brigadier General David Jones lauded the initiative to construct the Forward Operating Base at that location.

Brig. Gen. David Jones

Brig. Gen. David Jones

“This is going to assist us in maintaining territorial integrity and patrolling our sea areas and rivers to maintain sovereignty,” said Jones.

The Brigadier General described today’s event as “a historic occasion for us.”

Minister of National Security John Saldivar in his addresses reiterated government’s commitment to a safe and secure Beliz that lives in peace and harmony with its neighbor.

John Saldivar

John Saldivar

That harmonious existence, together with the Forward Operating Base will “strengthen law enforcement and security arrangements in a cooperative manner for our mutual benefits.”

Saldivar says the expectation is that Guatemala will cooperate with Belize “to defeat the threats” that confront both nations.

These include “illicit drug trafficking, human and weapons trafficking, illegal maritime and other activities along the Sarstoon.”

Forward Operating Base construction

Forward Operating Base construction

Guatemala was invited to today’s groundbreaking ceremony, but declined to attend.

The instead sent a Diplomatic Note on Tuesday saying that the Guatemalan government expects the Belize Forward Operating Base to be used for what Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington assured his Guatemalan counterpart the facility will be used for.

fob_smThat is that it will be used solely as an operating base for the Belize National Coast Guard.

The Guatemalans in their Diplomatic Note also said that they hope that Belizean authorities “will not interfere with artisanal fishing activities of the inhabitants of the area.”

The Forward Operating Base will cost about $100,000 and should be completed by April, 2016.

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