Belize Coast Guard Expands Regional Security and Maritime Training

The Belize Coast Guard has been strengthening its security, environmental and technical capabilities through a series of multinational exercises and training programmes held across the region and in the United States.  Coast Guard personnel recently participated in PANAMAX 2026, a large multinational exercise designed to improve cooperation and coordination among regional security forces.  Lieutenant Commander Jasmine Bellini and Lieutenant Marlon Aguilar represented Belize during a command exercise at Naval Station Mayport in Florida. They worked alongside personnel supporting United States Naval Forces Southern Command and the US Fourth Fleet.  At the same time, members of the Coast Guard’s Special Operations Command took part in practical exercises in Panama. They trained with American and regional special operations forces, focusing on how the different units would coordinate and respond during a regional security operation. 

The Coast Guard says the exercise helped its personnel build relationships with partner countries and improve their ability to work jointly during real emergencies.  The Coast Guard was also represented at a marine-environment workshop held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from August 3 to 5.  Lieutenant Junior Grade Jerry Vasquez of the Second Fleet participated in discussions on the London Protocol, an international agreement that regulates the dumping of waste and other materials at sea.  The workshop helped regional participants better understand their responsibilities for protecting the marine environment. It also contributed to the preparation of Belize’s national plan for managing dumping at sea and a wider regional plan for continued training and cooperation.  In a third regional engagement, the Coast Guard participated in training on alternative fuels and new maritime technologies in Trinidad and Tobago.  Petty Officer Third Class America Choc represented the Coast Guard, while the Belize Port Authority was also represented. The seminar was delivered by the World Maritime University in partnership with the International Maritime Organization and the Maritime Technology Cooperation Centre Caribbean. 

Participants were introduced to cleaner energy options for ships, including ammonia, methanol, hydrogen and batteries. The training also covered technology used to capture and store carbon emissions.