Posted: Saturday, September 13, 2025. 10:46 am CST.
By Zoila Palma: Prime Minister John Briceño has commended members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) for their bravery amid a standoff at the Sarstoon with Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF).
On September 10, 2025, the GAF illegally installed a Guatemalan flag at the Sarstoon.
Video footage shows our BDF calmly objecting and informing the GAF that the flag will be removed because it was illegally installed.
“I think it is first important for us as Belizeans to recognize the bravery of our BDF soldiers. They were surrounded by Guatemalans, as much as seven boats and their gun boat was about a mile away. I want to commend them for the bravery they demonstrated and their cool under pressure, because this could have gotten quickly out of control. But they stood their ground to make the point that they are in Belizean territory and that flag had to come down,” the Prime Minister told Greater Belize Media.
The PM explained that following the incident, Minister of Defence and Border Security Oscar Mira and Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca swiftly contacted counterparts in Guatemala.
“Because of that the Guatemalan brought down the flag and move from Belizean territory. WE have always said that the river is the medium line and going north is Belizean territory and going south belongs to Guatemala. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca has written a strong letter of protest to the OAS and also to Guatemala and have started informing all the friends of Belize, Canada, Mexico, the UK, to inform them of that incident,” the PM added.
In addition, the PM says that he is to meet with the Guatemalan President soon to discuss the situation.
“President Arevalo has demonstrated great support for Belize and want to commit closer ties and relationship to both countries. There seems to be elements within the military that seems to be classified as old guards and wants to communicate their stance on the Belize issue. But that situation is dying and most of them are very old and dying. The younger generation is recognizing that Belize is a free and independent nation and recognize that,” PM Briceno explained.
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The post Prime Minister praises bravery of BDF soldiers amid Sarstoon standoff appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Saturday, September 13, 2025. 10:46 am CST. By Zoila Palma: Prime Minister John Briceño has commended members of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) for their
The post Prime Minister praises bravery of BDF soldiers amid Sarstoon standoff appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
