Public hearings conclude before the ICJ on Guatemala’s request for permission to intervene in the “Sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes” case
Today, the public hearings concluded before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), at its headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, to consider the Republic of Guatemala’s request for permission to intervene in the case concerning “Sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes (Belize v. Honduras).”
During the hearings, which took place from November 24 to 26, 2025, the Republic of Guatemala presented its legal interests regarding the Sapodilla Cayes and how a decision by the Court could affect those interests.
The Agent of the Republic of Guatemala presented the following closing argument: “If this Court were to grant the request for permission to intervene, it would not only benefit Guatemala, but would also assist the Court in its consideration of both cases. First, it would allow the Court to have a complete overview of the sovereignty claims of the three States and the relevant documents related to those claims. Second, it would also provide this Court with the views of a State that has claimed sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes for more than two centuries.”
The Agent of the Republic of Guatemala also emphasized that, since Belize initiated the case against Honduras, coordination between the two cases was necessary, and as suggested by Guatemala in the first round, the hearings should be held consecutively for the sake of coherence and efficiency.
However, Guatemala pointed out that this coordination alone is insufficient to protect the country’s interests. Therefore, it emphasized that it would be beneficial to hear the perspectives of all three States on the matter, and that this would only be possible if Guatemala’s intervention were admitted, as it is the only mechanism available to it to achieve this objective.
In this way, Guatemala refuted Honduras’ objections and presented its own arguments for safeguarding the country’s rights and interests. With this stage concluded, the Republic of Guatemala awaits the Court’s decision on the aforementioned request.
The post Statement by Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on request to intervene in the case Belize v. Honduras on the Sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Public hearings conclude before the ICJ on Guatemala’s request for permission to intervene in the “Sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes” case Today, the public hearings concluded before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), at its headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands, to consider the Republic of Guatemala’s request for permission to intervene in the case concerning
The post Statement by Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on request to intervene in the case Belize v. Honduras on the Sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
