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Well - not so fast - nothing is ever simple at the Benque Border. In order to get this project done, those Guatemalan cab drivers who operate in that area have to leave and find another spot to pick up passengers. Information is that when the BDF light engineering company arrived, some of the cab drivers did not leave peacefully. Our news team traveled out west today to see what was the situation on the ground. Courtney Weatherburne has more.

Courtney Weatherburne reporting
It wasn't work as per usual for these Guatemalan Benque Border cab drivers.

They would normally operate freely in front of the Adjacency Zone office which is on the Belize side of the border.

They would park their taxi's in this lot near the office and ferry Belizeans crossing the border to Melchor - it has been happening for years.

But it seems that won't be happening anymore, after the BDF cordoned off this area. The taxi drivers are now forced to just hang back and look on.

It all started yesterday morning around 6:30 when the BDF showed up and told the Guatemalan taxi drivers to leave the area.

Gustavo Ramirez, Taxi-man/Porter
"The BDF came here and they just, they do nothing, they just came here and told everybody nobody can't park here on this area."

Victor Rivas, Taxi-man
"When the police came they moved those who do tourism, the BDF told them they didn't want anyone here and also here they said they didn't want anyone. They didn't give any explanation."

"There has never been any problem like this, I don't know what is the problem, if we affect them in some way by being here."

"We are just working, just providing service for those who come from Belize. It is nothing bad that we do."

But just as these Guatemalan taxi operators want to make a living, the Government of Belize wants to improve the border control and security in that area. They plan to do this by building a fence in front of the Adjacency Zone office - blocking out the Guatemalan cab drivers. In a government release it states "The BDF Light Engineers will be working in conjunction with the Border Management Agency to improve the fences and gates to ensure better control at that official crossing point."

Well, from these pictures taken yesterday morning - Guatemalan authorities from Peten did not take this move lightly and came over to see for themselves what was happening. A few passers-by said that tensions were high and that a few taxi-men were refusing to leave while others say there was no confrontation at all.

Gustavo Ramirez, Taxi-man/Porter
"But no one disrespect no one here."

But whether there was a standoff or not, Belizean authorities are not backing down on this border upgrade project - all the building materials are on site. So at this point, the Guatemalan taxi drivers have to park their cars in Melchor, but according to one very lucid Guatemalan operator who he has no issue with this new project, he and his colleagues will still find a way to get business.

Roberto Garrido, Mini Bus driver
"We have to understand that we are not supposed to be here, that is not for us, that is for Belize and the border is a private place, the border here so I believe that is not bad, they want to do something, they want to make sure everyone checks in before they go in, we are okay with that, I am okay with that."

"I don't think this will affect anything, to me it won't affect anything, why should it affect us."

Courtney Weatehrburne, reporter
"So it is pretty much if you guys want to park you pay or if not you park over there in Melchor."

Roberto Garrido, Mini Bus driver
"Yes that is how it, yes."

Courtney Weatehrburne
"But you will still get customers, Belizean will still walk over?"

Roberto Garrido, Mini Bus driver
"That will not stop the people from coming over, I think we will still be still okay. (LAUGH)"

So as you saw, everything seemed calm and under control today at the border. But we will surely keep following the progress of this project. It is expected to be completed within 6 to 8 weeks.

There is also an article in the Guatemalan newspaper 'Nuestro Diario' entitled "Restrigen Paso en Melchor De Mencos" - meaning restricting entry in Melchor De Mencos - which as we know is not the case because the adjacency zone is on the Belize side of the border. The article gives a similar account of what happened yesterday, of course with a few differences in detail including that two Guatemalans were caught with weapons.