President of El Salvador visit to Belize

The President of the Republic of El Salvador was in Belize on Wednesday as part of his farewell visits to all Central American countries. His Excellency President Elias Saca and his wife Ana Ligia Mixco Sol de Saca were greeted by the Chief of Protocol, Diana Locke and the Ambassador of El Salvador to Belize, Jose Sergio Mena. After a salute from the Belize Defense Force Quarter-guard, the President and his delegation was then transferred to the Radisson Forth George Hotel.

Members of the Belize Defense Force Quarter-quard stand ready to salute the President

President Saca and his wife welcomed by Ambassador Mena

Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable Dean Barrow and his wife Kim Simplis-Barrow, Minster of Foreign Affairs Honorable Wilfred Elrington, and the Chief Executive Officer in the Prime Minister’s Office Audrey Wallace welcomed the delegation.

President Saca escorted by Chief of Protocol Diana Locke

During a brief exchange at the Radisson Fort George Hotel, both PM Barrow and President Saca shared concerns relating to the region such as the swine flu that has caused alarm in Central America. Saca stated that even though there is no reported case of swine flu in El Salvador, authorities are on high alert. Barrow expressed that Belize is especially concerned because the flu is present in neighboring Mexico.

Prime Minister Barrow and President Saca share concerns on swine flu

While the PM and President Saca meet in a private meeting, Mrs. Barrow and Mrs. Saca then departed for the spouses program to the Museum of Belize and Stella Maris School. Just before noon President Saca and his delegation toured the Old Belize Museum after which PM Barrow hosted the President to lunch.

President Elias Saca and Prime Minister Dean Barrow

As part of the agenda, the PM Barrow conferred the Order of Belize on the President Saca, the highest award that can be given to a non-Belizean. PM Barrow was also honored with the Jose Matias Delgado National Order by the outgoing president of El Salvador. Following his five hour tour, President Saca left Belize, thanking the Government for the continuous international support Belize has showed towards El Salvador.