Posted: Saturday, September 13, 2025. 12:22 pm CST.
By Aaron Humes: Tensions along the Belize-Guatemala border remain high, amid separate confrontations and aggressive military actions by the Guatemalan Navy in the Sarstoon River. Earlier this week, Guatemalan Navy men planted a flag on Sarstoon Island, asserting territorial claims that Belize rejects as unfounded. On Friday, their army confronted their Belizean counterparts while on patrol, asserting that they had no right to move down the Sarstoon.
While condemning Guatemala’s actions, Prime John Briceño emphasized that the recent military provocations do not reflect the official position of the Guatemalan government, attributing such acts to “elements within the military” still influenced by an “old guard.” He highlighted ongoing efforts to improve diplomatic and military relations, including discussions with Guatemalan Defense Minister Mario Rivas and efforts to diffuse military tensions.
“The problem is not at the high level, it’s more at the low level where from time to time you have these hardliners that try to show, okay, we are not going to give up more land, but we all stand firm that Belize is ours and we will do our best as we can to defend what’s ours,” Briceño said.
Briceño also acknowledged internal challenges faced by Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo’s government but expressed optimism that newer, more progressive views within the Guatemalan military and political circles will prevail in time.
Footage reveals Guatemalan forces executing provocative water maneuvers and issuing commanding verbal warnings, asserting that the Sarstoon waters are not in dispute. Despite the BDF’s attempt to continue its patrol, Guatemalan vessels cut off the Belizean patrol, leading to a minor collision where the Belizean boat rear-ended a Guatemalan vessel. In response, a Belizean commanding officer read a respectful protest in Spanish, urging the Guatemalan military to respect Belize’s sovereignty and adhere to international law. The officer emphasized that their actions violate the 1859 treaty, which affirms Belizean territory. However, the Guatemalan captain responded dismissively, speaking over the Belizean officer, suggesting a failure of diplomacy and increasing tensions.
The Prime Minister recognized the soldiers’ bravery in both confrontations, asserting that the Government backed them up by contacting their counterparts to get the flag removed. The Prime Minister further reiterated Belize’s stance that the Sarstoon River’s median line remains sovereign territory: north of the river belongs to Belize, and south to Guatemala. He disclosed that Belize has officially lodged a diplomatic protest with the Organization of American States (OAS) and notified key international allies—such as the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Briceno is expected to raise the issue at the United Nations during his upcoming visit on September 22, where he plans to meet with Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo to seek de-escalation.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
The post Guatemalan military confronts Belizean forces, but Prime Minister says they’re acting on their own appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, September 13, 2025. 12:22 pm CST. By Aaron Humes: Tensions along the Belize-Guatemala border remain high, amid separate confrontations and aggressive military actions by
The post Guatemalan military confronts Belizean forces, but Prime Minister says they’re acting on their own appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.