Belmopan, November 12, 2024.
From November 6-8, 2024, the Military and Naval Commanders of Belize and Mexico, who share maritime and terrestrial boundaries, met in Belize City to discuss a broad range of traditional security-related challenges, including drug trafficking, weapon smuggling, illegal migration and contraband.
Representing Belize and the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security at the Conference were Colonel Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander of the Belize Defence Force, and Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard. The Mexican delegation included Commanders from the Secretariat of Defence of Mexico and the Secretariat of the Navy of Mexico.
Discussions focused on the critical role of the military in ensuring citizen security and fostering a stable environment for economic prosperity. Both countries expressed particular interest in the military’s capacity to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, especially in response to non-traditional security threats related to climate change, such as fighting wildfires, flood relief operations, and hurricane support operations.
The Conference concluded with both countries reiterating their commitment to share information and intelligence to close gaps within the border security system and to conduct joint operations along maritime and terrestrial border regions of both countries to counter transnational organized crime.
The Ministry of National Defence and Border Security of Belize views Mexico’s Secretariat of Defence and Secretariat of the Navy as key partners in maintaining safe and secure borders for the benefit of citizens, the jurisdiction, and economic interests.
Ends
For more information, please contact:
Public Relations
Ministry of National Defence and Border Security publicrelations@defence.gov.bz
