Posted: Sunday, September 21, 2025. 6:05 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: Reports have emerged regarding aggressive actions by the Guatemalan navy in Belize’s southern waters on Independence Day. Eyewitness accounts indicate that a Guatemalan Navy vessel was spotted near Punta Gorda this morning.
However, Rear Admiral Elton Bennett, commandant of the Belize Coast Guard, addressed these reports, stating to Channel 7 News, “Negative. No GAF vessel in front of PG. Our patrol visited Sarstoon and encountered the GAF at the entrance to the river. Our patrol continued to the FOB.”
Further, Guatemalan navy personnel have reportedly been displaying an aggressive demeanor toward Belize Coast Guard and Belize Defense Force (BDF) patrols near the Sarstoon River. According to the reports, Belizean forces are outnumbered in the area, with five vessels from Belize facing off against a reported eight Guatemalan ships.
These reports come on the heels of confrontations between Belizean and Guatemalan patrols occurring between September 10 and 13, prompting calls for shared responsibility by the Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert Ramdin.
The Belizean government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of its maritime territories while engaging in diplomatic efforts to address any misunderstandings with neighboring Guatemala. Prime Minister John Briceño said earlier this week that, “I’ve said it from the beginning, we remain steadfast on the protection of our territory. We are not going to cede a single inch, and again I continue to praise the bravery of the BDF that, despite that they’ve been outnumbered not only in personnel but even in equipment and boats, they’ve stood their ground and I’m very proud of them.”
Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander of the Belize Defence Force (BDF), on Friday reiterated to reporters that caution is needed: “…we have to be cognizant of the fact that there is a situation down at the Sarstoon and we would ask anybody [who] wishes to go there to do so with caution. And, we will continue to ensure, to protect, where we [can], but it is a volatile situation, right now, and, we do not, we do not want to, request the Belizeans, but just for them to be careful if they so wish to venture to that [part of] our country.”
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The post Alleged aggressive behavior from Guatemalan Navy observed in Belizean waters on Independence Day appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Sunday, September 21, 2025. 6:05 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: Reports have emerged regarding aggressive actions by the Guatemalan navy in Belize’s southern waters on
The post Alleged aggressive behavior from Guatemalan Navy observed in Belizean waters on Independence Day appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
