By Zoila Palma: Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade issued a statement “registering its strongest protest over an incident that occurred on Thursday, 10th September 2026, in which a significant deployment of Guatemalan military and civilian vessels obstructed a group of Belizean nationals from completing their customary passage around Sarstoon Island.”
The Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV), escorted by the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and the Belize Coast Guard, departed Punta Gorda for their annual journey to circle Sarstoon Island — a passage the group has undertaken for nearly two decades.
“Approximately eighteen (18) Guatemalan vessels, comprising both military and civilian craft, were present in Belizean waters within the immediate vicinity of the island,” the Ministry added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs asserted that “the Sarstoon River constitutes part of the international boundary between Belize and Guatemala, as established under the 1859 Boundary Treaty between Great Britain and Guatemala, with the boundary line running along the mid-channel of the river.”
The Ministry reiterated that the Sarstoon Island lies within Belizean sovereign territory, and the treaty guarantees that the channels of the river remain equally free and open to the vessels of both countries.
“Guatemala’s deployment of a disproportionate flotilla in Belizean waters in violation of Belize’s sovereignty and to obstruct the lawful passage of unarmed Belizean nationals is inconsistent with these obligations. Furthermore, the presence of Guatemalan civilians within the military deployment represents an unwelcomed escalation in an already sensitive border area,” the Ministry expressed.
The post Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands firm on Sarstoon river boundary; says 18 Guatemalan boats spotted during BTV trip appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade issued a statement “registering its strongest protest over an incident that occurred on Thursday, 10th September 2026, in which a significant deployment of Guatemalan military and civilian vessels obstructed a group of Belizean nationals from completing their customary passage around Sarstoon Island.” The
The post Ministry of Foreign Affairs stands firm on Sarstoon river boundary; says 18 Guatemalan boats spotted during BTV trip appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
