And so, to encapsulate all that has happened with Belize Guatemala relations tonight. First: the BDF is believed to have shot and killed a Guatemalan minor in the Chiquibul Forest yesterday night. They say it was dark and they came under fire. They returned fire, and found the minor's body later on. The Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales says a 13 year old was killed, and an 11 year old was injured, along with their 48-year-old father. In response, President Morales has deployed three thousand troops to the Sarstoon area, and recalled his Ambassador. Prime Minister of Belize, Dean Barrow is in New York to sign the Paris Agreement, but he issued a statement today saying, quote, "BDF reports of the incident indicate that our patrol in Belizean national territory came under attack to which they responded in justifiable self-defence. It is to be pointed out that the patrol included civilian personnel from the NGO group, FCD, and those personnel confirm the fact that our patrol simply responded after they were fired upon and were in fear for their lives."
He adds, quote, "This latest shooting attack on Belizean officials is part of a continued pattern of aggression by Guatemalan civilians engaged in illegal activities on Belize's side of the Adjacency Zone. In this regard, the Office of the Prime Minister recollects the earlier attacks which resulted in the murder of Special Constable Danny Conorquie and the shooting of Sgt. Richard Lambey."
He concludes, quote, "In this regard, we find the statements made and position taken by President Morales to be unhelpful and inflammatory. The current amassing of Guatemalan troops in the border areas, including the Sarstoon River, only adds volatility to the tensions already created by illicit activities in these areas. " End quote.
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