Belize Territorial Volunteers Uncover Illegal Logging in Colombia Forest Reserve

The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) has raised concerns about illegal logging activities taking place in the Colombia Forest Reserve in Belize. During a four-day reconnaissance mission over the weekend, the BTV team discovered thousands of feet of illegally harvested lumber, allegedly by Guatemalans, and a road that has been built within the reserve to facilitate the transport of the illegal lumber.

According to a statement from the BTV, the organization found logs cut down, garbage, and a road leading to Guatemala, indicating that the area is being used by Guatemalans for illegal logging and resource extraction. Valentino Tzub, a resident from Punta Gorda, corroborated the BTV's findings, stating that he witnessed the open road inside the forest, as well as tractors and lumber on both sides of the road, indicating that mahogany, santa maria, sapodilla, and cedar were being illegally harvested.

The BTV has condemned this encroachment and exploitation of Belize's natural resources, and is calling on the Forest Department and the Belize Defense Force (BDF) to intervene and put an end to this ongoing environmental degradation. The organization stated that such actions undermine the integrity of protected areas and pose a grave threat to biodiversity and ecological stability, urging for immediate measures to halt this trespass and preserve Belize's natural heritage.

Why this matters: The illegal logging in the Colombia Forest Reserve highlights the ongoing challenges in protecting Belize's natural resources and the need for stronger enforcement measures. The exploitation of protected areas not only threatens the country's biodiversity but also undermines efforts to combat climate change and preserve critical ecosystems for future generations.

Florencio Marin Jr., the Minister of Defense and Border Security, acknowledged that the military is aware of the situation and is working to resolve it, though he noted that certain actions are limited by the confidence-building measures in the adjacency zone between Belize and Guatemala. The minister stated that the military is collecting evidence and will act on the issue when appropriate, as they have done in the past by destroying bridges used for illegal activities.

Key Takeaways

• BTV discovered illegal logging in Colombia Forest Reserve, Belize by Guatemalans.
• Logs, garbage, and a road leading to Guatemala indicate resource extraction.
• BTV calls for Forest Dept. and BDF to intervene and halt environmental degradation.
• Illegal logging threatens Belize's biodiversity and climate change mitigation efforts.
• Belize military aware of issue but limited by confidence-building measures with Guatemala.