Posted: Friday, February 28, 2025. 4:57 am CST.
By Horace Palacio: Yesterday marked five years since the devastating loss of four Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldiers—Maj. Adrian Ramirez, Maj. Bradford Baizer, Cpl. Yassir Mendez, and Cpl. Reynaldo Choco—who perished when their U1-H1 helicopter crashed into the waters of Western Lagoon near Gales Point, Manatee. As Belize remembers these brave men, the circumstances of their deaths remain mired in mystery, and the demand for accountability has only grown stronger.
The ill-fated helicopter was dispatched in the pre-dawn hours of February 27, 2020, to assist in the interception of a drug jet carrying 2 tons of cocaine. However, it was not until late that night—when concerned family members raised the alarm—that the military realized the aircraft and its crew were missing. The shocking revelation that an official BDF operation could proceed without proper tracking, communication, or immediate follow-up raises serious concerns about how this mission was conducted.
Adding to the troubling questions surrounding this case is the fact that the BDF helicopter was not equipped with night vision capabilities, nor were the pilots provided with night vision goggles. This meant they were flying in near-total darkness without essential navigational tools. A senior BDF officer later admitted that the military does not conduct night patrols due to the high cost of night vision goggles—US$25,000 each—a budget item that the government reportedly refused to approve.
Newly appointed Minister of National Security at the time, Michael Peyrefitte, attempted to address public outcry at a hastily arranged press conference, but his remarks only deepened suspicions. When questioned about whether the helicopter could have been fired upon, officials avoided providing definitive answers, insisting that investigations were still ongoing. The absence of a distress signal from the helicopter and the lack of a flight data recorder further complicate the search for the truth.
Critics argue that this tragedy was preventable. The fact that four highly trained soldiers—two of whom were among the best pilots in the Caribbean—were sent on a high-risk mission without the proper equipment is nothing short of negligence. The lack of clear command oversight and the fact that the operation allegedly proceeded without the full knowledge of the BDF Commander, Steven Ortega, suggest deep operational flaws.
Belize mourns its fallen heroes, but the country also demands answers. Five years later, the key questions remain: Who authorized this mission? Why was a helicopter sent on a night operation without the necessary equipment? Has anything changed to prevent a repeat of this disaster?
As the families of these four men continue to grieve, Belize must ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain. The public deserves transparency, and the authorities must be held accountable.
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The post Five years later – Remembering the fallen BDF soldiers and the unanswered questions surrounding their tragic mission appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Yesterday marked five years since the devastating loss of four Belize Defence Force (BDF) soldiers—Maj. Adrian Ramirez, Maj. Bradford Baizer, Cpl. Yassir Mendez, and Cpl. Reynaldo Choco—who perished when their U1-H1 helicopter crashed into the waters of Western Lagoon near Gales Point, Manatee. As Belize remembers these brave men, the circumstances of their deaths remain mired in mystery, and the demand for accountability has only grown stronger.
The post Five years later – Remembering the fallen BDF soldiers and the unanswered questions surrounding their tragic mission appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
