Tonight there are major security situations to report with our neighbors, Guatemala and Chetumal.
First to Guatemala - whose military has responded to Belize's Brigadier General's trip around Sarstoon Island with the media last week.
The coast guard vessel he was in as he and the passengers traversed these Belizean waters was met by an aggressive Guatemalan patrol which harassed the Belizean boat - and told them they ere in Guatemalan waters and they had to follow the Guatemalan immigration protocol.
It was surely an embarrassment - some say an emasculation of Belize's most senior military officer.
But that win; t thee end of it for the Guatemalan military. The high command this weekend held what we consider an unprecedented press conference. It featured the General who is their Chief of Staff of Defence flanked by Navy and Airforce Commanders. The Brig General affirmed that Sarstoon waters are Guatemalan territory and more active partrols by air and sea will be activated in the area to prevent these repeated incursions by Belize Army who must respect their sovereignty.
The clear meaning of this is that they are claiming the Sarstoon as Guatemalan territory.
When we asked the PM today about these threats today he said that it is something they will have to discuss with the minister of Defense:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, I think I want to leave that for the Foreign Minister. We agree that he's going to answer that, but as always, we always stand up to defend what legally and historically belongs to Belize and the Sarstoon is the boundary between both countries and that has not changed."
"And then we're going to follow the due process with the OAS, the family, the friends of Belize and everyone to ensure that we can keep Guatemala in check. But the Foreign Minister can give you more details."
A sattement form the Belize Territorial Violunterrs'Will MAheia says, quote, "Today, April 30th marks 165 years since our Belize border was established. Guatemala and Britain negotiated the 1859 Treaty regarding the disputed area. The treaty….formed the modern-day boundary lines of Belize…..So today I find it difficult when we have Guatemalan bullies lie to the world and say the entire Sarstoon river is theirs and our government sit aside with nothing to say! The silence is deafening!!!" End quote.
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