Belize, Mexico Strengthen Security Ties at Border Commanders Conference

Belize is this week hosting the 21st Belize-Mexico Border Commanders Conference, a key bilateral security engagement aimed at strengthening cooperation between the security forces of the two neighboring countries.  The conference, which runs from June 9 through to 12, brings together senior military and security officials from Belize and Mexico to discuss matters of mutual concern along the shared border, including security coordination, intelligence sharing, transnational crime, and regional stability.  The event officially got underway on Monday evening with a welcome reception and cocktail attended by senior government and security officials. Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis emphasized the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with Mexico in safeguarding the region’s borders and maritime spaces.

Gregory Soberanis, Commandant, Belize Coast Guard: “This is a significant forum for us that we have every so often because what it does it allows us as commanders for the respective nations to look at the threats that are common to both countries along our borders. So really what this does is speaks to regional security because it allows us to sit at the table and look at the evolving threats and the current threats and where we can use military diplomacy, align our tactical priorities and strengthen those relationships, whether it has to do with intelligence, operations, communications, in how we address these border issues. Issues that are important not only for Mexico but issues that are important for Belize. So it really speaks to the collaboration and cooperation of the Mexican security forces and the Belize security forces in addressing those transnational criminal activities that seeks to cause decay to our social fabric and our social structure. And so as a result, this forum provides an avenue and a platform for us to look at these threats and derive solutions where we can make in an applicable way to address these cross borders issues.”

Delivering welcome remarks were Commander of the Belize Defence Force, Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez; Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis; and Minister of National Defence and Border Security, Florencio Marin Junior.