7 News Belize

The Forward Base Is Opened
posted (June 28, 2018)
The Hunting Caye Forward Operating Base has been in the plans since 2014. As has been widely publicized, the construction of the base had to come to a halt because the public was outraged that a Guatemalan company was contracted by the US government to build it. Well, when that had to be scrapped for obvious reasons, the Government of Belize had to foot the bill and finish the construction of the base itself. So, finally, after all those setbacks, the base has been completed. It was officially opened yesterday and here's more from the ceremony.

Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"It is indeed a great pleasure to finally be able to welcome you to this very special occasion after a long wait and a list of unwanted delays, we are finally here to have the opening of this strategic forward operating base."

"Hunting Caye has been legislated as a base in the maritime areas act and therefore has international significance as it relates to the jurisdiction. It is from here that Belize differentiates internal waters from territorial seas. The implications for national security therefore requires a permanent and consistent presence to ensure that the operational reach and jurisdiction is extended to this forward operating base and beyond in order to combat the evolving threats to national security."

"Hunting Caye is located at the northern apex of the Belize Honduras Guatemala maritime border and it provides that forward deployment from where we can project sea power in encountering transnational organized crime. Increasingly in recent year's drug trafficking, weapons and human smuggling routes transit Belize from south to north. The ramping up of transnational crime therefore makes this point a critical location for the deterrence of illicit activities for us and for our regional partners."

The base can accommodate 15 personnel including quarters for female coast guard officers. It is well equipped and has a number of special features including a 3 component power system consisting of solar, wind and diesel power.

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