By Breaking Belize News Staff: New footage obtained by Breaking Belize News shows a significant Belize Coast Guard presence in the Sarstoon River area, with several Belizean patrol vessels operating in close proximity to what appears to be a Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) vessel amid heightened tensions along Belize’s southern border.
The video, reportedly recorded on Wednesday morning, November 11, shows multiple Belize Coast Guard vessels gathered near a Guatemalan military boat. Belizean security forces appear to have a larger presence on the water, although the exact circumstances of the encounter have not been officially established.
BBN contacted Belize Coast Guard Commandant Rear Admiral Gregory Soberanis directly for clarification. Soberanis confirmed that he remains in southern Belize with his personnel and provided an official statement regarding the Coast Guard’s activities.
“We’re currently patrolling our border line and remain committed to guarding our territorial integrity,” Soberanis told BBN.
The Commandant’s confirmation follows a strongly worded message to Coast Guard personnel in which he reaffirmed their responsibility to defend Belize’s maritime borders and national sovereignty.
“Any belligerent force that threatens Belize’s sovereignty will be confronted with military professionalism, courage, discipline, and absolutely no fear,” Soberanis declared.
“We will stand firm, united, and resolute in the defence of our nation and its sovereign interests.”
The latest footage comes just four days after Guatemalan military vessels reportedly entered Belizean waters and aggressively approached a Belize Defence Force patrol near Sarstoon Island on Saturday, November 7.
Following that incident, Belize reinforced the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base with additional BDF and Coast Guard personnel and vessels.
On Tuesday, National Security CEO Retired Major Francis Usher confirmed that several vessels and teams remained deployed at the Sarstoon, with reinforcements positioned nearby. He also indicated that tactical adjustments had been made to strengthen Belize’s ability to respond to potential threats.
Meanwhile, Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) leader Wil Maheia shared photographs showing Coast Guard personnel being treated to lunch by members of the organization following what he described as Wednesday’s Sarstoon showdown.
Maheia said the gesture was intended to demonstrate the BTV’s appreciation for the men and women of the Belize Coast Guard.
The latest developments come as Belize continues to assert its sovereignty over Sarstoon Island and its territorial waters, while the longstanding territorial dispute with Guatemala remains before the International Court of Justice.
Although the footage shows Belizean and apparent Guatemalan military vessels operating near one another, the Coast Guard has not confirmed whether Wednesday’s encounter involved intimidation, aggression or an attempt to obstruct Belizean patrols.
Soberanis, meanwhile, has made the Coast Guard’s position clear: Belize’s maritime borders remain under active patrol.
“Stand firm. Stand ready. Stand for Belize.”
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By Breaking Belize News Staff: New footage obtained by Breaking Belize News shows a significant Belize Coast Guard presence in the Sarstoon River area, with several Belizean patrol vessels operating in close proximity to what appears to be a Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) vessel amid heightened tensions along Belize’s southern border. The video, reportedly recorded
The post Coast Guard Commandant confirms ongoing Sarstoon patrols as new footage shows Belizean and Guatemalan military vessels face to face appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.