Belize to host regional security conference with U.S. Southern Command

Published by BBNTEAM at January 30, 2022

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Posted: Sunday, January 30, 2022. 10:16 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: Starting Monday, January 31, Belize will host high-level defense and security leaders from the United States, Central America and elsewhere in the West at the 2022 Central American Security Conference (CENTSEC), sponsored by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).

This year’s theme is “Collaborative Responses to Regional Security and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief Challenges.”

Newly appointed Commander of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), Brigadier General Azariel Loria, will lead the Belize delegation, while the Americans are headed by four-star American general and Commander of SOUTHCOM, General Laura Richardson.

The annual meeting facilitates dialogue between regional security leaders as part of a continuing commitment to strengthen cooperative ties and achieve shared security goals. Leaders will engage in roundtable sessions and bilateral meetings on topics ranging from transnational criminal organizations and irregular migration, to COVID-19, climate change, and natural disasters.

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Leyla Moses-Ones explained, “The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the indispensable need for global and regional collaboration. The United States is committed to strengthening partnerships with Central America aimed at addressing transnational threats of mutual concern… CENTSEC is an opportunity to examine present and future challenges threatening both democracy and citizen security from a regional perspective, and to engage in candid discourse on ways we can work together to forge a secure and prosperous region.”

Belize Minister of National Defence Florencio Marin Jr. emphasized, “Belize is proud to once again host this important regional security meeting in collaboration with the U.S. SOUTHCOM. We look forward to the critical discussions that will take place over the course of the days ahead and remain committed to strengthening cooperation with our Central American neighbors as we work to address the issues which continue to challenge our region. We are also pleased to welcome General Richardson to our Belizean shores and congratulate her on being the first woman to lead the U.S. SOUTHCOM. Belize looks forward to continued and strengthened partnership during her tenure.”

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