Former government minister says he was targeted by gunmen

There are reports tonight of a tense incident near Belize’s western border involving former Cayo West Area Representative, Jorge Melin Espat.  Espat says he came under gunfire while on his family’s property in the Cayo District, near the Belize-Guatemala adjacency zone.

According to Espat, he was within Belizean territory at the time and was legally carrying his licensed firearm. He claims that the shots originated from the Guatemalan side of the border.

In a statement shared on social media, Espat explained that he was walking along his land, something he says he has done on numerous occasions, when the incident occurred. He added that Guatemalan authorities responded promptly after being alerted and conducted checks in the area.  Authorities here in Belize, however, say they have not received any formal report on the matter. Police Staff Officer, ASP Stacy Smith, confirmed that no official complaint has been made.

Stacy Smith, Assistant Superintendent of Police: “Mr. Espat did not make any report to the Benque Viejo police station and the commander indicated that he will be reaching out to Mr. Espat to get his commentary on it. The commander of Benque Viejo also told me that he had reached out to the officials in the border in town of Sochitan I believe and they in fact confirmed that there was a disturbance but they did not provide much information aside from that. Commander of Benque Viejo Town has stated that he will be reaching out to Mr. Espat to hear from him in relation to the commentaries that are in the social media.”

Espat also sought to clarify reports circulating online, noting that a video being shared does not show him being detained, but rather interacting with Guatemalan police officers who, he says, acted professionally.  He maintains that he will not be intimidated from accessing land he says has been in his family for generations, emphasizing his right to move freely within Belizean territory.