Mexican expert for independent report on events in the Belize – Guatemala adjacency zone
The Embassy of México to Belize informs that at the request of the governments of Belize and Guatemala, Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), undertook to deploy a team of experts with the purpose of integrating an independent report on the incident of April 20th, 2016, in which a Guatemalan minor Julio René Alvarado Ruano died, and his father and brother were injured.
The independent commission will consist of specialists in the fields of criminal investigation, legal (criminal law) and forensic affairs, with knowledge of the mandates of the OAS and fluency in English and Spanish, will have duration of approximately two weeks. However, depending on the circumstances, it might be considered to have a complementary mission of two additional weeks.
The report is intended to collect, according to technical criteria, relevant information for the verification of facts in the adjacency zone between Belize and Guatemala and present to the SG-OAS a single report, detailed and independent investigation into the facts. There is much generated expectation on the report, and on many occasions an appeal was made for completion at the earliest. Additionally, Belize requested the work of expert investigations of other cases in which Belizean security officers were injured.
The measure is part of the efforts to facilitate dialogue and generate measures of enhancing trust, particularly in the escalation of accusations and tensions involving the governments of both countries and the increasing involvement of non-state actors and forces of political opposition.
Due to the lack of financial resources and personnel with the required profile, the Secretary General sent invitations on May 20th, to Brazil, Chile, United States and Mexico, so that within their national budgets, they would nominate experts to develop the requested investigation; in the case of Mexico, the request was made for an expert in criminal investigation.
Originally, the United States and Brazil confirmed their willingness to join this arrangement, but later on Brazil withdrew, therefore, the OAS Secretary General would seek the support of other State Members.
Considering the importance of integrating the investigative team the appointment of an expert was negotiated with the Mexican Federal Police (PF); on the 27th of June the department of International Affairs of the Federal Police confirmed the availability and informed the appointment of head commissioner, Doctor Patricia Rosa Linda Trujillo Mariel, Head of the Coordination of Criminology of the Scientific Division. It is worth noting the high profile of the Mexican contribution, which reflects the commitment of our country to support the solution of the differendum and ensure the quality of the requested report.
The activities of Doctor Trujillo will be:
- Carry out site visits, (including the area where the incident took place)
- Interviewing of witnesses
- Verifying topics of facts and law
- Require, through the SG-OAS, reports to authorities of the governments of Belize and Guatemala that are considered conducive to the investigation and analyzing them;
- Check processes or protocols to obtain evidence or means of proof, including expertise and forensic reports.
