As noted in our story, the OAS did not send a representative to verify whether or not the volunteers planted the coconut trees in the wrong country.
But, now the dynamic is slightly changed, and that's because Belize's Ambassador Nestor Mendez was elected the Assitant Secretary General of the OAS. He joins new Secretary General; Uruguayan Luis Almagro who replaces the outgoing Jose Miguel Insulza.
So where does that put The Territorial Volunteers which has openly accused the OAS of partiality to Guatemala in dealing with the border dispute? We wondered if they would still take that position, given that a Belizean is now the second highest-ranking official at the OAS.
Here's what they said:
Giovanni De La Fuente
"If you read what the release said in the media, this good gentleman has already declared that his office will distance itself from the Guatemala/Belize issue due to the fact that he is a Belizean and he doesn't want to come off as being bias. So that question that you are asking is - only history will tell. He has already stated that his office will apparently not be active in this issue, since he doesn't want people to believe that he is bias."
Daniel Ortiz
"At this time, are you all prepared to give the new secretary general the opportunity to prove himself or to show where his partiality would be in this particular issue?"
Giovanni De La Fuente
"Of course we are willing to give him all the opportunity that he needs and in the meanwhile we suggest that Belizeans be very aware of what's happening and be active and take an active part in Belize and looking after what is Belize and if the good gentleman, from the OAS will eventually come around and openly support what is rightfully Belize's, then we welcome that as well."
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