PRESS RELEASE Incident within the Chiquibul National Park

• Date: 1/31/2012

PRESS RELEASE
Incident within the Chiquibul National Park

31 January, 2012.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Belize received reports on 30th January, 2012 of incidents in the Chiquibul National Park that involved confrontations between a patrol unit and Guatemalan nationals on Saturday 28th January, 2012. It is reported that during a Joint Forces Operation involving the Belize Defence Force, the Police, Forest Officers, and Immigration a cross-fire occurred in Belizean territory and that some Guatemalan nationals suffered injuries, with one possibly being fatally injured.

The details of the incidents are yet to be established. However, the Police Department has taken command of the investigation and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has formally requested the OAS office in the Adjacency Zone to assist in the investigation.

The Government of Belize wishes to express its regret for any injury or loss of life that may have occurred, and offers its deepest sympathies to the families of those affected by these incidents.

ENDS

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Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade
Belmopan