By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño used Belize’s address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday to formally denounce Guatemala’s recent military aircraft incursion into Belizean airspace, telling world leaders that the incident constituted a breach of international law.
Briceño informed the General Assembly that a Guatemalan military aircraft entered Belize’s sovereign airspace in September and intentionally disabled its transponder. He argued that the action violated international aviation rules and Belize’s territorial sovereignty.
“This incursion is not an isolated one,” Briceño said, linking the incident to what he described as a continuing pattern of Guatemalan state vessels and personnel operating unlawfully in Belizean waters in the Sarstoon River area.
Belizean defence officials said Friday that Guatemalan Army aircraft FAG706 entered Belizean airspace at approximately 7:29 p.m. on September 24, circled in the vicinity of Lighthouse Reef and remained inside Belizean airspace for roughly one hour and 10 minutes before exiting in the south. Officials also said the aircraft’s transponder was turned off during part of the flight.
Guatemala’s Ministry of National Defence subsequently issued a statement saying its military operations are conducted in accordance with national and international law, but the statement did not explain the aircraft’s purpose over Belizean territory.
At the UN, Briceño called on Guatemala to immediately cease incursions “by air, land or sea” and requested heightened monitoring by the United Nations and Organization of American States while the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute remains before the International Court of Justice.
He said Belize would continue to choose “law over force” and would await the ICJ’s judgment with confidence.
CARICOM has also previously expressed concern over tensions in the Sarstoon and has called on Belize and Guatemala to avoid actions that could aggravate the dispute while the matter remains before the ICJ.
The post PM Briceño tells UN Guatemala military aircraft violated Belize’s sovereignty; calls for international monitoring appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño used Belize’s address to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday to formally denounce Guatemala’s recent military aircraft incursion into Belizean airspace, telling world leaders that the incident constituted a breach of international law. Briceño informed the General Assembly that a Guatemalan military aircraft entered Belize’s
The post PM Briceño tells UN Guatemala military aircraft violated Belize’s sovereignty; calls for international monitoring appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
