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Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
"One of the greatest challenge is the fact that the border is extremely big in terms of length particularly between Belize and Guatemala as well as the portion with Belize and Mexico and we must also bear in mind that we also have the maritime border with Honduras and so we are bordering 3 countries where the spread of the Corona Virus is somewhat rampant. I was listening to the news this morning and I saw what is taking place in Mexico and I believe they are currently averaging like 800 deaths per day resulting from Covid-19 and the cases are growing significantly across the border and so as Belizeans we need to bear in mind that the safety of our citizens come first and it is with that spirit that we do our utmost best with a view to ensure that we police the borders as best as we can. I am sure that you are going to agree with me that no matter how much persons we put along the border that people will still find a way to come in illegally, but I am sure that our efforts is significantly reducing the amount of persons coming across the border illegally and when we catch these persons it is important that they be punish swiftly and severely so that the rest get the message that you know what we cannot take no chance and go across to Belize, because if we are caught the consequence is going to be x, y and Z and that will serve as an effective deterrent for those who may wish to do so and so yes it is very challenging. We have both patrols with the BDF in the Rio Hondo and then we have mobile patrols with police and BDF in the Botes area and the Santa Cruz area. We also look at the Calla Creek area between Belize and Guatemala as well as Arenal. Then we have Jalacte - these are areas that we are trying as best as we can to manned with a view to reduce the amount of persons who are coming over illegally and it is why I am saying that as a nation we cannot be too loose and too relax."