The Minister of National Security John Saldivar informed the media on Wednesday that the construction of the military facility at Hunting Caye had not been stopped. Hours later, on Wednesday evening, a release from the US Embassy defended the decision to hire Guatemalans to build the Coast Guard installation, calling it best value. But that was Wednesday. News Five has confirmed that first thing this morning, the US Southern Command, through the local Military Liaison Office, issued a stop order to BINARQ-the Guatemalan firm constructing the base. We have confirmed with the Belize Coast Guard that upon receipt of the stop order, all Guatemalans on Hunting Caye departed the premises on their own vessel, presumably headed to Puerto Barrios in Guatemalan territory. We note though that those persons have left their tools and construction equipment on the site. News Five reached out to all pertinent government officials for comment today, including the Prime Minister, the Minister of National Security and the Minister of Immigration and Security. The only one who deigned to respond was the Prime Minister, but only to inform us that he is out of the country.
View the full article