Caribbean News Now!

By Cristal Romo
Caribbean News Now contributor

BELMOPAN, Belize -- A group known as the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) is planning what it describes as border familiarization exercise and clearing on Saturday on the western border of Belize with Guatemala.

According to the BTV, the exercise is designed to increase the awareness of Belizean people, concerning the “all-too-real existence” of the country’s western border.

“Despite the efforts by other to discourage our intended trek to the border, the people of Belize have bolstered our resolve. We have received commitments from Belizeans across the entire spectrum including: attorneys, members of the media and former security force personnel who are intimately knowledgeable of the border area; who have committed to join in this worthwhile endeavour,” the BTV said in a statement.

The exercise is described as a “peaceful exercise in civic pride and, by extension, participatory democracy” as an exercise of rights as citizens of Belize, to educate people on matters with which they may not already be aware.

Meanwhile, the government of Belize has issued a warning that any attempt to clear the western border can give rise to serious danger to participants and it therefore strongly advises against participation in any such action.

The proposed border clearing efforts may amount to a disturbance of the peace and add to unnecessary tensions between Belize and Guatemala, the government said.

Reads: 1286


Tweet