By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize is escalating its diplomatic response to last week’s confrontation in the Sarstoon, formally protesting Guatemala’s actions and preparing to bring the incident to the attention of international partners and its legal team before the International Court of Justice.
The Government has delivered a formal Note Verbale to Guatemala following the September 10 incident involving Belizean civilians, the Belize Defence Force, Belize Coast Guard and a large presence of Guatemalan vessels.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says approximately 18 Guatemalan military and civilian vessels were deployed near Sarstoon Island as members of the Belize Territorial Volunteers attempted their annual journey around the island.
The Belizean group was prevented from completing the passage.
Government has characterized Guatemala’s deployment as disproportionate and says it obstructed the lawful movement of unarmed Belizeans.
Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca said the Government condemns what it considers acts of aggression and Guatemala’s exercise of illegal authority over the Sarstoon.
Fonseca said Belize will continue recording and protesting such incidents while maintaining direct dialogue with Guatemala.
The diplomatic response is now extending beyond the two countries.
The Organization of American States and other international partners are being notified, while Belize’s agent before the ICJ has been instructed to consult the country’s international legal team about placing the incident before the court.
Prime Minister John Briceño is also expected to pursue discussions with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo during the United Nations General Assembly.
Fonseca has warned that tensions surrounding the Sarstoon are likely to remain an issue until the ICJ delivers its final judgment in the territorial case.
No injuries were reported during the September 10 confrontation, and the Government has praised Belizean security forces for exercising restraint.
The post Belize escalates diplomatic response after Sarstoon confrontation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): Belize is escalating its diplomatic response to last week’s confrontation in the Sarstoon, formally protesting Guatemala’s actions and preparing to bring the incident to the attention of international partners and its legal team before the International Court of Justice. The Government has delivered a formal Note Verbale to Guatemala
The post Belize escalates diplomatic response after Sarstoon confrontation appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
