| Guatemala Tells Citizens: Don’t Go To Belize |
| Thu, May 5, 2016 |
|
In related news, the Guatemalan Congress today took an unusual vote, issuing a sort of travel advisory for Belize, urging Guatemalans not to go over to the Belize side of the border. According to Guatemalan press reports, the Congress warns Guatemalans citizens of the dangers of travelling to Belize because of the likelihood of human rights violations committed by the BDF. Of course, the Belizean conservation community would be only too happy if the Guatemalan citizenry took that advisory to heart, and indeed stopped crossing over into Belize. And that's because all the danger, losses of life, gunshot injuries, and widespread outlaw activities in the Chiquibul are caused by Guatemalans making unlawful incursions into Belize, and more specifically into a protected area. Today, Senator Courtenay called out the Congress for playing children's games:...
Eamon Courtenay, PUP Rep., BZ, Guatemala Relations
"I am hoping that that resolution is read and understood by first of all, the people who live in the vicinity of the border and the people who live in the vicinity of the Sarstoon and that they will stay in Guatemala. I hope that that resolution is read by the army, Guatemalan Armed Forces and that they would act as the congress has suggested, that if they see Guatemalans illegally coming across, that they prevent them from coming across. If that is the intention of the congress, then that is to be applauded. If on the other hand, their intention is to suggest that Guatemalans should not come over to Belize, because there is a risk to life as a result of the BDF, then obviously that is utter nonsense and idiocy. I can understand why an emotional and irrational parliament would do that type of thing, but that is the type of childish game that needs to be condemned."
|
