Minister Mira Pressed for Answers on Mystery Authorization of Bulletproof SUV at Northern Border

Having been the former Minister of State for Defence and the now Minister of Home Affairs, Oscar Mira is faced with having to answer the question as to authorized entry of a bulletproof vehicle into the country.  The issue surfaced following a local news report, which revealed that the Customs Department is investigating how one of its officers at the northern border approved the temporary importation of a 2021 bulletproof Land Rover Defender. The vehicle, which carries Mexican license plates, was allowed into the country through a numbered Temporary Importation Permit (TP) issued on October 3.  According to the report, the permit lists approvals from Police Commissioner Dr. Richard Rosado, the then Minister of Defence Oscar Mira, and Elmer Torres, the Officer in Charge of the Corozal Customs Station. However, the document does not bear any of their signatures. Commissioner Rosado has since denied any knowledge of the authorization, requesting that the documentation be provided to him.  The permit was reportedly issued to José Vela, a well-known figure within Zone operations. Love News asked Minister Mira to shed some light on this matter.

Oscar Mira, Minister of Home Affairs: “I think that for the record, Belize does not have any law against importing the bulletproof vehicle. The law states that there is consideration for a bulletproof vest. However for a vehicle there is none. Therefore there was no need for me to give any consideration. There was no need for me to give any permission for a bulletproof vehicle to come into Belize. As I understand it, a vehicle was given a temporary permit to enter Belize. That temporary permit has expired and the vehicle has returned to Mexico from where it came from. There is no need for any special permit for a bulletproof vehicle. The law does not state that.”

Interestingly, Vela survived a targeted shooting on September 12 near Paraíso Village, Corozal District; an incident believed to be linked to escalating tensions between rival groups inside the Free Zone. Both Vela and another major operator, Nitin Buxani, have survived separate assassination attempts in recent months, fueling public concern about organized criminal influence and security lapses within the Zone.  Love News understands that the bulletproof SUV was authorized for a one-month stay, with no duties paid, and meant strictly for use inside the Zone. While the renewal on November 2 could not be confirmed, the SUV was reportedly still inside the Zone as of yesterday./