By Belize Live News Staff: Senior Belizean defence officials, led by Minister of National Defence and Border Security Florencio Marin Jr., concluded high-level discussions with U.S. defence leaders, returning to Belize this weekend after a series of meetings in the National Capital Region, United States.
The Belize delegation included Rear Admiral John Borland, Chief of Defence Staff; Brigadier General Asariel Loria, Commander of the Belize Defence Force (BDF); Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, Commandant of the Belize Coast Guard; and Ambassador Oliver Del Cid, Director General of National Security.
The four-day meetings focused on enhancing security cooperation, military training, and education between Belize and the United States. Key U.S. officials involved included Jana Nelson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere at the Pentagon, and Ruben Lopez, Deputy Director of the Perry Center.
Talks also centered on the development of a National Security Strategy and the conceptualization of a National Defence Strategy for Belize, reflecting a strengthened bilateral relationship in security matters.
For further information, the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security can be contacted at publicrelations@defence.gov.bz.