BELMOPAN, Belize, CMC – The Belize authorities has “forthrightly” rejected an announcement issued by Guatemala through which it sought to current “different details” following an incident on the Sarstoon River final Wednesday.
In an announcement, Belmopan said that it’s conscious of a press launch issued by the Guatemalan authorities in regards to the occasions that occurred on the Sarstoon River from September 10 to 13 this 12 months.
“The federal government forthrightly rejects the daring try of the Authorities of the Republic of Guatemala to current different details to hunt to distort the narrative of what transpired on the Sarstoon.”
Belize has already indicated that it might 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.
However the Ministry of International Affairs in Guatemala, in an announcement, whereas expressing “deep remorse” on the incursion, stated nonetheless that “these unlawful incursions pose a severe danger to Guatemalan civilians dwelling alongside or travelling by way of the river and its banks, which is unacceptable”.
It additionally stated that the incidents happened simply earlier than its Independence Day celebrations and that the Guatemalan Military acted inside its constitutional mandate to defend sovereignty “with prudence and duty, stopping escalation and avoiding confrontation”.
It claimed that Belize Defence Drive (BDF) “provocations” had been contained by way of dialogue fairly than drive, underscoring the Guatemalan army’s professionalism and dedication to peace.
The Guatemalan authorities additionally rejected Belize’s declare of sovereignty over Sarstoon Island, which it insists is a part of Guatemalan territory. It accused Belize of exaggerating the state of affairs in worldwide boards in an try and destabilize relations.
The Belize-Guatemala border dispute dates again to Guatemala’s declare of great parts of Belizean territory, based mostly 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 ultimate resolution, a course of confirmed by referendums in each nations.
In its assertion, Belize stated that it has little doubt about its sovereignty over its facet of the Sarstoon River and that “the unalterable truth is that the boundary between Belize and Guatemala was established within the 1859 Treaty because the mid-channel of the Sarstoon River.
“The Sarstoon Island lies squarely inside Belize’s sovereign territory. Moreover, the 1859 Treaty supplies that the channels of the river are equally free and open to the vessels of each nations.
“In any case, Guatemala’s declare is earlier than the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice for adjudication and ultimate settlement. The Authorities of Belize appears ahead to the vindication of its place. Within the meantime, each Belize and Guatemala are obligated to chorus from any motion that will exacerbate the dispute.”
Belize stated that it was additional refuting Guatemala’s “assertions that the Belize Defence Drive acted in any provocative method,” including “publicly obtainable movies clearly present the skilled, calm, and restrained conduct of Belize’s army personnel, of which Belize is proud.
“The tensions of the previous week underscore the urgency of a mechanism for cooperation within the Sarstoon and maritime areas. Finalising such a mechanism could be a transparent demonstration of the dedication of the 2 nations to peace and safety within the space.
“Belize is dedicated to persevering with to work with Guatemala to strengthen and increase bilateral relations based mostly on mutual respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our nations,” the assertion stated.
On Tuesday, the 15-member Caribbean Neighborhood (CARICOM) grouping known as on Guatemala to make sure that its army forces “desist from illegally getting into Belizean territory”.
The regional grouping, of which Belize is a member, stated it’s 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 remembers the responsibility 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 remembers the dedication of Belize, Guatemala, and all states within the Area to take care of the Caribbean Area as a Zone of Peace, including, “CARICOM reaffirms its unwavering help for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and safety of Belize.”
