Belize Defence Force

🎖️🤝 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐎𝐀𝐒/𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐀𝐌 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐝𝐲 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐧 🇧🇿

Today, Commander Belize Defence Force, Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, officially concluded the PACAM/OAS mission at Boxer Camp in the Baldy Beacon area. This milestone represents another significant step in Belize’s ongoing commitment to safely eliminate unexploded ordnance and enhance public safety across the country.

As part of the closing activities, General Velasquez also met with a representative of the landowners in the area. Both parties agreed on a cooperative way forward to support future operations, including the destruction of UXOs in place and strengthened firefighting coordination to safeguard Belizean lives and property.

The Belize Defence Force remains steadfast in its duty to national security, responsible management of training areas, and strong collaboration with all stakeholders.

🏃‍♂️🇧🇿 BDF Dominates US Embassy’s 5K Jungle Run 🌿💪

This morning the BDF Run Club and other members of the Force took part in the annual U.S. Embassy 5k Jungle Run in Belmopan City. Representatives from National Agencies; BDF, BCG, BPD, Immigration and the Fire Service and other Departments competed alongside in country US-Embassy colleagues and friends in the off-road experience under this morning's humid conditions. The BDF placed first and third in the male category and first in the female category. The race brought together a unique set of agencies of over a hundred participants in the promotion of health, fitness and resilience and will endeavor to grow this initiative to an even bigger race next year.

Congratulations to the runners of the Belize Defence Force.

EmbassyJungleRun

🇺🇸🪂 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝟎𝟏𝟖-𝟐𝟔 🇧🇿

The Belize Defence Force proudly recognizes a historic achievement as Sergeant Jereen Chun becomes the first female soldier in the history of the Belize Defence Force to successfully complete Airborne course.

Airborne School is a demanding three-week course where soldiers are trained in military parachute operations, aircraft procedures, parachute landing techniques, and airborne missions. To earn the coveted Parachutist Badge, students must successfully complete five parachute jumps from military aircraft, including the C-130 Hercules and C-17 Globemaster III, during both day and night operations.

Sergeant Chun is now qualified as a military parachutist capable of participating in airborne operations. Her accomplishment reflects courage, discipline, and professionalism while also highlighting the strong military partnership between Belize and the United States. 🤝

Her success represents another important step forward for women in the military and serves as an inspiration to future generations of Belizean soldiers.

“Airborne All the Way!”

Congratulations to Sergeant Chun on this outstanding accomplishment and for proudly representing Belize on the international stage. 🇧🇿

Proud to see our Belize Defence Force medics and doctor serving beyond the barracks! 🇧🇿💪

Our BDF medical team joined , the Ministry of Health & Wellness, and the University of Colorado as instructors for the Community First Aid Response (CFAR) Learning Programme. Together we trained 60 community health workers and 7 health educators across Belize.

Over two intensive workshops, participants gained hands-on skills in emergency recognition, life-saving first aid, patient safety, and safe transport to health facilities - especially for rural and underserved communities.

This is what partnership and service look like: empowering communities, strengthening first response, and saving lives nationwide. Well done to our instructors and all graduates! 👏

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐳 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐞

The Commander Belize Defence Force (CBDF) along with infantry battalion commanders, operations officers, company commanders, and logistics and signal officers has completed a strategic tour of remote outposts throughout the country. The tour started in February in the Southern Districts and was completed recently in the Northern Districts in early May. This was done to assess operational readiness, strengthen troop morale, and ensure alignment with the Belize Defence Force’s mission.

During the visit, the CBDF engaged directly with soldiers operating in challenging and isolated environments, gaining firsthand insight into their conditions, challenges, and effectiveness. Leading from the front, the CBDF traversed difficult terrain, reinforcing a commitment to understanding realities on the ground.

The tour confirmed that key operational requirements—security, logistics, and equipment—are being met, while also identifying priority areas for improvement, including living conditions, soldier kit and equipment, communication systems, and supply chains.

The engagement served as a significant morale boost for troops and reaffirmed the Belize Defence Force’s commitment to supporting personnel across all locations. Several improvements are already underway, with more to follow.

The Belize Defence Force remains focused on enhancing operational capability and ensuring all units are fully prepared to execute their mission.

𝐁𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐙𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐃𝐑𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

The Belize Defence Force (BDF) Volunteer Battalion conducted its Drill Competition on 9 May 2026 in Belmopan City. Overall, the event was a success and Charlie Company emerged victorious as this year’s 2026 Drill Champions. Bravo Company took second place and Support Company came in third in the competition. The hard work, preparation, dedication and professionalism paid off. Congratulations to the Volunteer Battalion for this achievement; job well done!

Today the BDF Run Club took part in the Sixth Annual Climb of Death 10 Miles Race in the San Felipe/Blue Creek communities in the Orange Walk District. The club showed notable dominance across several categories and exhibited excellence in fitness and endurance, with our Commander, BDF Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, completing the challenge in exemplary time.

The BDF ran alongside members from the Belize Coast Guard, as well as members from the Belize Police Department, who are also in the process of forming their own run clubs.

Congratulations to all the runners in this morning's grueling test of intestinal fortitude and endurance! Well done!

Strengthening Partnerships: 30th Anniversary of the Partnership between the Louisiana National Guard (LNG) and the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and the Belize Coast Guard (BCG)

This week, Belize was proudly represented at the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the Partnership between the Louisiana National Guard and the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Coast Guard in New Orleans, United States of America (USA), from 21–24 April 2026. The event brought together senior leaders from both Belize and the United States, reinforcing a long-standing partnership built on cooperation, trust, and shared security goals.

The Belize delegation included:

* Hon. Florencio Marin Jr – Minister of National Defence and Border Security
* BG Asariel Loria – Chief of Defence Staff
* RADM Gregory Soberanis – Commandant, Belize Coast Guard
* BG Anthony Velasquez – Commander, Belize Defence Force
* LTC Roberta Usher – Commanding Officer, Support Battalion
* RSM Dee-anchor Reyes – Regimental Sergeant Major, Second Infantry Battalion
* CMCPO Ariel Garrido – Command Master Chief, Belize Coast Guard

The grand event witnessed the presence of distinguished counterparts from the Louisiana National Guard, including MG Thomas Friloux (The Adjutant General), senior leadership across the joint force, as well as representatives from the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Military Group in Belize.

Throughout the engagement, participants conducted office calls, toured operational sites in the French Quarter, visited the National WWII Museum, and participated in professional exchanges that strengthened interoperability and mutual understanding. The highlight of the visit was the 30th Anniversary Celebration Ceremony held at Jackson Barracks, marking three decades of partnership under the State Partnership Program.

This engagement underscores the enduring relationship between Belize and the USA Louisiana National Guard, one rooted not only in defence cooperation but in shared values, regional stability, and collective readiness. Belize Defence Force, Belize Coast Guard, Louisiana National Guard, security cooperation, stronger together!

🛠️ 𝐋𝐄𝐂 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 🇧🇿

The Light Engineering Company (LEC) installed two prefabricated children’s parks at the St Martin’s Neighbourhood Park and the BDF Marriage Quarters. Donated by the Straughn Foundation and handed over to Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, this initiative highlights the BDF’s ongoing commitment to community development beyond its core roles.

By creating safe spaces for children to learn and play, this partnership helps support healthy growth and stronger communities.

🎖️ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢, 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 🇧🇿

Yesterday, The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst Alumni, Belize Chapter was launched at Price Barracks, Ladyville officially indoctrinated Alumni from the prestigious military training college for officers based in the United Kingdom. Just under a hundred Belizean Military Officers from the Belize Defence Force have attended this institution and graduated under its mantra of "Serve to Lead."

Notable Alumni in attendance at the Ceremony yesterday were Honorable Florencio Marin Jr, CEO Admiral Ret'd Elton Bennet, Brigadier General Ret'd Steven Ortega, Colonel Ret'd Javier Castellanos, Lieutenant Colonel Ret'd Ruel Black, Lieutenant Colonel Wallace who is the BATSUB Commander on tour in Belize, along with other retired and active officers of the BDF.

The key speakers all delivered exceptional leadership advice and shared personal experiences during their time at Sandhurst before echoing the importance the Alumni brings to the country's military leaders and others in key leadership positions who have moved on from military life.

The Belize Defence Force is proud of the launch of this Alumni Chapter and joins Partner Nations in the region that have already launched their RMAS Alumni program. All Alumni were pinned with an official lapel from RMAS and socialized before departing Price Barracks. Moving forward, the membership pledges to forge partners across the region and capitalize on networking key to our Defence Force and country's development.

𝑺𝑬𝑹𝑽𝑬 𝑻𝑶 𝑳𝑬𝑨𝑫!