Belizean Soldiers Return Home After Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti

Major Ermil Coh of the Orange Walk District and Captain Claudio Quiroz of the Cayo District are back in Belize after spending more than six months in Haiti.  The two soldiers of the Belize Defence Force were deployed last September and were welcomed home on Wednesday by his family, friends and colleagues.  Whilst in Haiti, the men’s duties included community engagement, providing logistical and operational support, and participating in security initiatives designed to foster peace. Upon their return, BDF senior command recognized them for their dedication and sacrifices. They were commended for exemplifying the core values of the Belize Defence Force – honor, commitment, and excellence.  Love News spoke with the Deputy Brigadier General, Colonel Anthony Velasquez.

Colonel Anthony Velasquez, Deputy Commander, BDF: “They returned to Belize on Wednesday the 16th of April at about 4pm they landed at the PGIA and the BDF Cessna aircraft took them to the Williamson Hangar where they deplaned and they were met by the Commander of the BDF and other officers and soldiers. They deployed to Haiti in September last year I believe the 7th of September they deployed to Jamaica on the 7th of September and on the 12th of September they deployed to Haiti so they were there seven months almost eight. The normal tour of duty was six months but we had some logistical issues because of the airlift we had to piggyback on Canadian or American air and they were finally extracted Wednesday the 16th and brought back home. So that was a planed thing, it was nothing because of any situation or anything. The tour of duty is normally six months but they spent close to over seven months. In April of March last year they deployed to Jamaica to conduct the training for one month including Major Co and Captain Quiroz but these two guys their role was to be staff officers, the remainder of soldiers and Coast Guard men were supposed to be like troops on the ground and their main duty would have been to guard or secure key locations. Whether it be the life support area, the main base or some other key area in support of the multinational support mission in Haiti. That never occurred, it hasn’t occurred yet but that deployment is imminent depending on the situation in Haiti and on CARICOM’s position and the Government of Belize’s decision.” 

Coh and Quiroz spent six months with the Multinational Stabilization Support (MSS) mission. The MSS mission was established through Resolution 2699 of the United Nations Security Council, passed in October 2023.The aim of the resolution was to assemble a multinational task force that would assist the Haitian government after criminal gangs caused major civil unrest in the country. Belize has also trained 31 members of the BDF and 20 members of the Belize Coast Guard to assist in Haiti, but due to various issues, they were never deployed.