BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – The Belize government says a Guatemalan gunboat had been escorted out of its territorial waters by the Belize Coast Guard after the occupants claimed that they had been lost and did not realise they had crossed into Belizean waters.
The incident is reported to have occurred earlier this week, and Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca stated that the Belizean forces handled the situation calmly and professionally, emphasizing that diplomacy remains the primary line of defense.
“The people of Belize, in perhaps the most democratic process we have available to us, our referendum made a decision several years ago to pursue a peaceful resolution in this differendum between Belize and Guatemala.
“So we’re pursuing that through the ICJ (International Court of Justice). The government of Belize has a duty and an obligation. At the same time, we pursue a peaceful resolution of this case to protect the national sovereignty of the territory of Belize, obviously,” he said.
Fonseca stated that the Belize Defense Force and the Belize Coast Guard are out there every day carrying out their duties honorably, faithfully, and fearlessly.
He confirmed that the incident with the Guatemalan gunboat had occurred “a few days ago” and that the Coast Guard responded immediately when notified about the vessel’s presence.
“They followed established protocol, they went up to the vessel, informed the crew on board who they were, and they advised them that they were in Belizean waters. They had a brief discussion, a short exchange, and the Coast Guard then escorted the GAS vessel out of Belizean waters. So that is what took place,” he said.
Belize and Guatemala have had a long-running border dispute, with Guatemala claiming, in whole or in part, the territory of Belize. Guatemala and Britain negotiated the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty in 1859 regarding the disputed area. The treaty stipulated that Guatemala would recognize British sovereignty over the region, thereby establishing the modern-day boundary lines of Belize.
Meanwhile, Fonseca has confirmed a meeting in Washington with Guatemala’s Foreign Minister, Carlos Ramiro Martinez.
“That was a bilateral meeting. We discussed the ICJ process and the challenges we continue to face on the border in the Sarstoon. We also generally discussed trade, investment, and other opportunities. I think that’s a very productive meeting,” Fonseca said.
He said that there was also a wider meeting between Belize and Guatemala under the auspices of the Organization of American States (OAS).
“We had a meeting with the group of friends, where Belize and Guatemala made statements to our group of friends, and we heard from them about their continued support for the process, the ICJ process, so that was perfect.
“All our group of friends were there and they reaffirmed their commitment to Belize and Guatemala through this process as long as it takes, and supporting the work of the OAS. Had a productive meeting with the new Secretary General of the OAS. We discussed the continued work of the OAS in the adjacency zone. We also discussed regional and hemispheric issues, including the situation in Haiti. We talked about reform at the OAS and many different issued. That was a perfect meeting, I think,” Fonseca added.
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