GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Caribbean Group (CARICOM) grouping on Tuesday referred to as on Guatemala to make sure that its army forces “desist from illegally getting into Belizean territory” following an incident on the Sarstoon River final Wednesday.
Belmopan has already indicated that it could be lodging a proper protest “on the highest stage” after a contingent from the Guatemalan Armed Forces(GAF) planted a Guatemalan flag on Belizean soil.
In an announcement, the 15-member regional grouping, of which Belize is a member, stated that it has been knowledgeable by the Belize authorities “that on a number of events throughout the interval 10-13 September 2025” GA members entered Belizean territory within the Sarstoon River, which borders the 2 nations.
”The GAF members illegally hoisted a Guatemalan flag on Belizean territory, tried to ram a Belizean army vessel, and harassed and obstructed Belizeans from freely and peacefully navigating the Sarstoon River. These incursions and actions flagrantly violated Belize’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
”On every event, Belizean army officers firmly asserted Belize’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and authorized place, however acted with restraint and professionalism to forestall these aggressive and provocative actions by GAF officers from escalating,” CARICOM stated in its assertion.
It stated it was subsequently calling on “Guatemala to make sure that its army forces desist from illegally getting into Belizean territory and from aggressive actions which is able to increase tensions between the nations, escalate right into a army battle, and endanger the protection of individuals who use the Sarstoon River.
”CARICOM recollects the obligation of Belize and Guatemala to chorus from any motion which can exacerbate the dispute whereas Guatemala’s Declare is earlier than the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice, and reiterates its name for each nations to urgently fulfil their dedication to design an efficient mechanism of cooperation for the Sarstoon River and maritime areas, with the help of the Group of American States (OAS).”
The regional grouping said that it additional recollects the dedication of Belize, Guatemala, and all states within the Area to keep up the Caribbean Area as a Zone of Peace, including, “CARICOM reaffirms its unwavering assist for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety of Belize.”
The Belize-Guatemala border dispute dates again to Guatemala’s declare of serious parts of Belizean territory, primarily based on historic Spanish colonial rights, whereas Belize maintains its sovereignty over these areas.
The dispute originated from a 1859 treaty between Britain and Guatemala, which Guatemala claims was violated by Britain. After many years of failed negotiations and tensions, each nations agreed in 2008 to submit the dispute to the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice (ICJ) for a remaining resolution, a course of confirmed by referendums in each nations.
