And while Guatemalan encroachments unto Belize territory - both terrestrial and maritime - remain a security threat, there's an X factor, and that's the British. For many years before independence, they had a fixed security presence. And, according to the left leaning newspaper out of the UK, The Morning Star, the British are talking about setting up a military base in Belize.
Late last year, British Defiance Secretary Gavin Williamson told the Sunday Telegraph that he and was looking for new opportunities to expand Britain's "presence" in the Caribbean. The discussions for a location centered on Guyana and Montserrat.
A freedom of information request by the Morning Star supported by Guyana's Stabroek News quotes emails reveals that there has been little or no planning to build a barracks in Guyana or Montserrat - but there does appear to be a scheme to upgrade Britain's jungle warfare training camp in Belize.
The Morning Star reports, quote, "Amid the confusion, officials began to privately rule out a new base in Guyana or Montserrat, but predicted that Britain would upgrade its base in Belize." We asked the National security Minister about it today:
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"I read the article which you sent to me and as far as I am aware there has been no discussion about setting up a military base in Belize. What I do know is that the British are interested in increasing their training here in Belize. They are very satisfied with the terrain and the facilities and the assistance received from the BDF and so we can expect I believe in the next few months and years for them to continue to increase their training presence in Belize."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"If a conversation were to be broached, Belize being a sovereign nation in charge of its own defence, but yet having known vulnerabilities. Would the government of Belize be amenable or welcoming to such a proposal were it to be broached?"
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of National Security
"Given the current climate and the current claim with Guatemala, we have always welcomed some sort of defence guarantee from the British and certainly if that is in the form of the establishment of a base, I'm sure our government would give it positive consideration."
UK Minister of Defense Mark Lancaster visited Belize in September of last year to sign a revised Status of Forces Agreement - the first since 1994. That's the memorandum of understanding which allows BATSUB to remain in Belize. In October of 2015, BATSUB resumed its operations at full capacity after it had all but pulled out in 2011.
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