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In brief, it was a an exceptional event - made even more pronounced because in the context of all the territorial theater that has unfolded on that same river. Tonight, we compare and contrast at all that went before and what went down on Friday:...

Daniel Ortiz reporting
On Friday, The leadership of the People's United Party headed down to the Sarstoon River for their familiarization tour. And, when they arrived at the river mouth, they were greeted with courtesy from the BDF Soldiers at the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base.

The lead officer was more than willing - and probably authorized - to allow them to dock their vessel, and take a tour around.

Hon. John Briceno - Opposition Leader
"I was speaking to different members of the BDF, they are saying that tensions have eased down quite a lot. I hope that it's a good sign."

As you would remember, our last trip to the Sarstoon as only the media, checking to see if troops were amassing at that Southern Border, the BDF absolutely refused to allow our boat to dock near their base.

File: April 22, 2016
Sarstoon Patrol Officer
"You can't dock here. We haven't granted you permission to dock here."

Boat captain
"Can we are asking permission to dock?"

Sarstoon Patrol Officer
"No boss."

Boat captain
"Even in an emergency, you could see the engine shutdown."

But, even more startling than that, was that the Guatemalan soldiers across the river did not spring into action at the sight of the PUP's vessel on Friday. That's a very stark contrast to the norm, something the public has seen for itself multiple times since August of 2015.

File: March 18, 2016
River of Fire
"Yow! Come back this way!"

Geovannie Brackett
"Come back, come back!"

Passenger
"Come back!"

River of Fire
"They're hauling you!"

But, on Friday, the Guatemalans appeared as though they couldn't be less bothered by the Opposition's vessel in the river. The PUP got to travel up-close to Sarstoon Island.

They coolly throttled around the southern side of the island, observing at a leisurely, non-stressful pace. All that while, there was no passive-aggressive Guatemalan vessels acting as unwanted escorts, the kind I remember vividly from last year.

File: August 17, 2015
In the distance, another Guatemalan boat, which was carrying about 6 members of the Guatemalan press, followed the Belizean expedition. They, like us, were there to document the encounter from both sides.

Their cameras turned back to Orlando and the lead boat as they made their slow pace around Sarstoon Island, this time, staying very close to its southern banks so as to remain in Belizean territorial waters. That was a bit more tricky to do because if the boats veered in too much, they would be grounded. If they veered out too much, they risked illegally entering into Guatemalan territorial waters. There was no such indication from the Guatemalan Navy boat, or the OAS, that this happened, and so, with no more aggression, the guided - albeit unusual - tour continued for the entire length of the island's southern side.

As soon as the Eastern tip of the island came back into focus once again, the Guatemalans completely backed off, and the 4 Belizean boats made their way back to the river mouth.

Even the BDF, has been prevented from coming to this side of the island, and this happened only earlier this year.

File: May 12, 2016
Guatemalan Soldier
"What is your intention? You cannot pass from the southern way."

Belizean Soldier 1
"What did he say?"

Belizean Soldier 2
"You can't pass on this side?"

Belizean Soldier 1
"Why not?"

Guatemalan Soldier
"Those are my orders."

Belizean Soldier 1
"Can't we circle this side?"

Guatemalan Soldier
"No sir."

Belizean Soldier 2
"He says we can't go this way because the other side of the island is theirs."

Belizean Soldier 1
"That is what he says?"

Belizean Soldier 2
"He says it's his orders that."

So, what accounts for the PUP's peaceful trip? Well, they believe that it was because the Guatemalan Government had prior knowledge that they were coming. They are concerned that this type of quote, "good behavior", will not last.

Senator Eamon Courtenay - PUP Representative, Belize-Guatemala Bilateral Talks
"I am not particularly confident that that will remain the situation. I think as you are aware there was some information given to the Guatemalans to expect this visit and therefore they are perhaps under good behavior... So, even though today so far we have not experience any stopping by the Guatemalans. It is indeed a good sign that they understand that we have a right to come here. But as I say, this was told to them that we will be visiting and the situation is what happens when there is no advanced notice. How will they behave?"