Amid mounting questions about the quality of food reaching Belize’s security forces, the government is changing how it buys military rations. Prime Minister John Briceño says the administration will bypass local suppliers and purchase Meals Ready-to-Eat directly from a U.S. manufacturer, a move he says will help improve nutrition for BDF soldiers and coast guard personnel. The first shipment of BDF-branded rations is already on its way as scrutiny over military procurement continues to intensify.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I met with the commandant for the Coast Guard and the BDF on Monday for the first time, along with the CEO to be able to discuss these issues and one of the issues the commandant was making is because of the poor food that they were getting earlier, all of this packaged food, canned food which is high in sodium content, a lot of our coast guard is suffering from hypertension, high blood pressure. Unfortunately, and officer died, not too long ago and I think about two or three have also gotten a stroke. So we have to make sure they eat healthy. So, we can’t expect our soldiers to go out in the jungle and eat potted meat, because that is what they are eating now. We are starting to look at ordering directly from the manufacturer, the MRI, the scientifically packaged food that gives you one thousand five hundred calories per package. The CEO has already been in contact with the manufacturer in the U.S and the idea is that we will be able to buy a whole container load with the BDF logo to ensure that once we bring it in, they are not selling it out there to start with but to ensure that BDF and Coast Guard can get the best food available to them.”
The BDF acquires MREs to feed soldiers that are deployed into the field.
BDF Commander Clears Up Meal Claims, No Lobster Menu
Are BDF soldiers really eating lobster, shrimp and baby back ribs? That question has been making the rounds after Prime Minister John Briceño said the military is eating much better under his administration. Today, B.D.F. Commander Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez confirmed that meals have improved, but he says some reports have gone too far. According to Velasquez, soldiers are being fed better than before, but luxury items are not part of the regular menu.
Anthony Velasquez
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commander, Belize Defense Force
“That is in fact truthful, why because I am sure you can remember in the past where people were posting up that the Belize Defense Force don’t eat right, etc. Unfortunately, that image still persist in people’s minds, but that is the furthest thing from the truth. The spending on the ration has significantly increased, the quality of the rations have gotten better. We have made efforts to feed the soldiers quality food. Have we gotten one hundred percent completely that they have steak and lobster everyday, no. But we have remarkably improved the way how we feed our soldiers. Is there room for improvement, definitely. But it is a work in progress and I can sit here comfortably and tell you the way how we feed our soldiers have improved drastically from just a few years ago, say six years ago.”
Paul Lopez
“Are you all eating, baby back ribs and shrimps as procurement documents show?”
Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez
“I have been thirty-one or thirty-two years in the Belize Defense Force and from time to time we will eat shrimp. It is very rare that we will eat lobster. I have never eaten baby back ribs in my memory at the moment. I have never seen or eating that before. There is some hype going on and imaginations are running wild, but I would wish our soldiers eat baby back ribs and shrimps on a daily basis.”
Commander Velaquez acknowledged that the force is actively working to improve its feeding program and fill gaps where necessary.
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