6 days ago
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Beyond education and economic development, the Prime Minister used the address to highlight the Government’s investments in national security. The Belize Police Department has achieved a conviction rate of eighty percent, according to figures presented by Prime Minister John Briceño. National security also featured prominently in the Prime Minister’s remarks on the recent confrontation in the Sarstoon. In this portion of his address, he declared that Sarstoon is Belizean.
John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “Over the past two months we have significantly improved the interdiction capability by acquiring 15 vehicles for the police department, installing numerous surveillance cameras at strategic locations and more importantly, strengthening the morale of the men and women of the police department. We are proud to report that the conviction rate of the police department has climbed up to a record 80%. Since the start of this year, the police department has successfully seized 1,372 kilograms of cannabis and 582 kilograms of cocaine, along with seizures of methamphetamine, hashish, crack, and heroin. On the 10th of September, 53 Belizeans stood on the Sarstoon River. Waters that are ours by treaty, by law, and by right. And they did not flinch. Twelve vessels could not make them turn back or break their spirit, even when they could not complete their passage. That is who we are. We are a small nation, we will not submit. Sarstoon Island is Belizean soil, but let no one mistake our patience for weakness. The men and women of the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Coast Guard, who stood calm and steady that day, you did not just defend a boundary. You defended who we are as a people. Belize will always stand behind you, and you stand for Belize. “
PM Briceno notes that Belize will continue to rely on international law and the case before the International Court of Justice to achieve a peaceful and binding resolution of Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime claim.
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