Posted: Saturday, September 20, 2025. 6:37 am CST.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The Belize Defence Force (BDF) will continue patrolling the Sarstoon River despite heightened tensions with Guatemalan forces, according to BDF Commander Brigadier General Azariel Loria.
Speaking to the media, Brig. Gen. Loria explained that Belizean soldiers have been ordered to patrol the river daily, in line with the 1859 treaty which recognizes the Sarstoon Island as part of Belize. He stressed that while the situation has been tense, the BDF is simply carrying out its mandate.
“Well, you have seen what happened on the Sarstoon from the 10th and up to the whole of last week. It was a bit tense. But we have been mandated to do what we need to do. We’re following the 1859 treaty which says that we are to patrol the Sarstoon River, the deepest channel, and that is what we are doing. That is what the Ministry of National Defence and the Government of Belize are requesting from us—to continue to conduct that kind of operation and to be respectful to the Guatemalans on their side in the Adjacency Zone,” Loria said.
He added that Guatemalan armed forces were also patrolling from their side, but emphasized that Belizean soldiers will not abandon their duty: “They keep on patrolling and we keep on patrolling on our side too.”
The remarks come as Belize continues to seek a protocol with Guatemala to reduce incidents in the Sarstoon. Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca has said that while engagement is necessary, Belize must remain vigilant and proactive in defending its sovereignty on the river.
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The post Brig. Gen. Loria: Belizean soldiers will continue to defend the Sarstoon appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, September 20, 2025. 6:37 am CST. By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The Belize Defence Force (BDF) will continue patrolling the Sarstoon River despite
The post Brig. Gen. Loria: Belizean soldiers will continue to defend the Sarstoon appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
