By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Opposition Leader Tracy Panton says any plan that could see US combat troops operating in Belize must go before Parliament first.
In a statement titled “A matter of grave national concern,” Panton said transnational criminal organizations pose an immediate and serious threat to Belize, and that reports of cartel activity in the country demand decisive action.
She was responding to Prime Minister John Briceño’s comments that Belize is in talks with the United States on security cooperation under the Shield of the Americas initiative.
Panton said any proposal involving foreign combat troops must be subject to constitutional and legal scrutiny, along with parliamentary review, before a decision is made.
“Belize’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and democratic institutions must be upheld without exception,” she wrote.
She called on the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to brief the Opposition on the discussions and the scope of any proposed arrangement.
The Prime Minister has described the talks as preliminary, saying technical officials will first determine what is workable. He has not said whether foreign troops would be allowed.
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