Belize Territorial Volunteers Uncover Illegal Logging Operation in Columbia Forest Reserve

The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) says it has uncovered a major illegal logging operation in the Columbia Forest Reserve. The group recently trekked through the forest and found logs cut down, garbage, and a road leading to Guatemala. The BTV says the area is being used by Guatemalans illegally logging and taking the resources out of the country. The group believes the area is being looted and is calling on the military to address the issue. Minister of Defense and Border Security Florencio Marin Jr. says the force is aware of the issue and is working to have it resolved. 

Florencio Marin Jr. Minister of National Defence and Border Security: “Minister of National Defence and Border Security: “The military is aware of it. Parts of these things have to do with other ministries like Forestry but the military is always in support of it. The general knows fully well what’s happening and of course he will not publicize his operations. These things will occur when he finds them best to address. If you remember we already destroyed two of the bridges already for these things. Of course you know that so we destroy so new ones are built. It is something that we’re always chasing after. Always ensuring we stay on top of it. One of the unique challenges to this though is remember that when it comes to the adjacency zone we are binded by the confidence building measures so certain things we have to have verified before we just act upon it. But in the meantime not because you don’t see the military act on it doesn’t mean that the military is not aware of it, is not collective their evidence, is not putting all the information so that when we can act on it they do so expeditiously just as you saw with the two bridges that were destroyed the other day.”