After about 9 weeks, the fence at the Benque-Melchor border is finally complete. As you may remember, in mid May when the BDF started to build the fence, the Guatemalan taxi-men who operated in front of the Adjacency Zone were not too happy with the project. But as construction continued, the tension and uncertainty died down. The main objective is to establish better control in the area for the heavy flow of visitors crossing the border, protection of border workers and more oversight when it comes to border issues. The gates were opened today along with the ground breaking of another project. Courtney Weatherburne has the story.
Hon. John Saldivar, Defense Minister
"Sometimes big problems have simple solutions. There was a big problem here at the border with respect to the security of those who traverse the station and for those who work at this station and it has been resolved with a simple solution."
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
That simple solution came in the form of two iron gates. They were officially opened today at the western border.
The second gate is the longest gate ever built in Belize measuring 46 feet wide and 8 feet high - it is the length of half a basketball court.
So there were no disgruntled Guatemalan taxi-men in front of the OAS office like in May.
There weren't any Guatemalan soldiers inspecting the grounds - there was no chaos - just peace and order.
That's how it should be from now on with these newly installed entryways.
Hon. John Saldivar, Defense Minister
"An imperative principle of prosperity is a stable environment, a secure environment and that stability and security can only be assured if the proper security is in place."
And to add to that sense of security, ground was broken for a security outpost.
It will be built on this hilltop overlooking the border and beyond.
Lt. Col. A. Loria, BDF Deputy Commander
"If you travel to Mexico you will see that they have their military and here in Guatemala they have their military outpost a couple 100 meters from our border so the Minister of national Security thought it is imperative for us to be, he has always told us that he wants to have military presence along the border for our task, our primary task, our primary role is to secure our borders."
That is surely easier said than done, these fences and this outpost won't completely eliminate all cross border issues but it is a start in marking and protecting Belize's territory.
H.E Said Guerra
"There is no such thing as No man's land. The area where you sit, from the border building, all the way to the spraying area is administered by Belize and so it is Belize."
The BDF Light Engineers are still drafting the blue print and estimates for the outpost but construction should start next month. We will keep following this story.
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