What is being called a miscommunication between the Belize Defense Force and the police department resulted in the brief detention of several armed officers who crossed into Belizean territory at the northern border last Friday. The incident occurred prior to a high-level meeting held between B.D.F. officials and members of the Mexican military and caused a stir up north. The entry into the country by armed Mexican military can be considered a breach of Belize’s sovereignty, based on the Geneva Convention which prohibits foreign military from entering another territory equipped with weapons. According to Corozal police, upon being notified by security at the Commercial Free Zone, they responded to an area adjacent to the Golden Princess Casino, where they observed four officers traveling in a black Chevy Tahoe. The men were reportedly handcuffed and their firearms confiscated before the matter could have been cleared up by the brass of the B.D.F. We are told that the meeting was being held in San Pedro. The incident raises serious concerns as to whether armed Belizean officers would be treated similarly if caught in Mexico.
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