Words Exchanged at UN General Assembly Over Border Dispute
This week, the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute was raised three times during the Seventy-Eighth Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in light of a recent encounter between a group of Belizeans and the Guatemalan Armed Forces on Sarstoon River. At the meeting on Saturday, Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay placed on record Belize’s dissatisfaction with the continuous illegal incursions by Guatemalans on Belizean territory. This is in light of the September tenth encounter between a group of Belizeans and the Guatemalan Armed Forces on Sarstoon River. Guatemala’s Foreign Minister responded at the assembly accusing Belize of provocation. Carlos Fuller, Belize’s Permanent Secretary to the United Nations later responded to the remarks made by Guatemala’s Foreign Minister. And, only today, Wil Maheia, founder of the Belize Territorial Volunteers, reported yet another encounter with the Guatemalan Armed Forces on Sarstoon River. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
On September tenth, the Belize Territorial Volunteers organized an excursion to Sarstoon Island for a flag raising ceremony. The uninhabited island is at the center of a territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala. And, as we reported, the tour was met with aggression from Guatemala’s Armed Forces. Three Belizean flags were removed from the island by the Guatemalan soldiers.
Wil Maheia
Wil Maheia, Founder, Belize Territorial Volunteers.
“So the Guatemalans they have removed three of our flags. We are waiting for them to come for this one. They will have to remove three of us.”
The Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute took center stage during the General Debate at the Seventy-Eight Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations. On Saturday, Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay addressed the general debate and highlighted the continued illegal incursions by Guatemalans on Belizean territory.
Eamon Courtenay
Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“As Belize and Guatemala continues to pursue the peaceful just and final resolution of Guatemala’s claim to Belizean territory before the international court of justice, illegal incursions by Guatemalans continue. Recently Guatemalan military forces illegally entered Belizean waters and unlawfully removed Belizeans flags placed on Belizean soil. Deforestation cattle ranching and cultivation of illegal drugs by Guatemalan continues in remote and protected areas of Belize. These activities are contrary to international law and good neighborliness.”
Mario Busano, Guatemala’s foreign minister, exercised the First Right of Reply to respond to Foreign Minister Courtenay on the matter. He asserted that Guatemala has been the victim of radical, social independentist Belizean groups.
Mario Busano
Mario Busano, Guatemala’s Minister of Foreign Affairs
“Guatemala has systematically been the victim of radical, social independentist Belizean groups who year upon year attempt to provoke instability in the Sarstoon River zone, thus violating the territorial integrity and sovereignty of our country. Throughout our history we have borne witness to the death of fellow Guatemalans who have perished at the hands of Belizean armed forces, but there have never been an issue despite the systematic provocation of these groups who claim that Guatemalan soldiers have violated the human rights of their Belizean brother or disrupted peace.”
Today, the founder of Belize Territorial Volunteers, Wil Maheia was back out on the river. Videos from the patrol show Maheia engaged in a verbal exchange with members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces over whose territory they were in.
Voice of: Wil Maheia, Founder, Belize Territorial Volunteers
“You are in Belizean territory.”
Voice of: Guatemala Armed Forces
“No. If you want to enter Guatemalan territory go to the captain … there you can follow the process put in place by Guatemala. Meanwhile, you cannot be here in Guatemala.”
Wil Maheia
“This is Belizean territory.”
Guatemala Armed Forces
“It is not Belizean territory. Stop talking foolishness because it is not. Follow the law of Guatemala.”
Wil Maheia
“Follow the law of Belize.”
Guatemala Armed Forces
“Follow the established processes. Meanwhile, you need to remove yourself from Guatemala.”
Will Maheia
“You cannot be in Belize with firearms.”
Guatemala Armed Forces
“We are not in Belize.”
It is worth noting that while the debate rages on global stages, the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base is still without permanent presence from the Belize Defense Force. On the other hand, Guatemala’s Armed Forces appears to maintain a permanent presence on the river. On Tuesday, Carlos Fuller, Belize’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, exercised Belize’s Right of Reply at the UN’s General Assembly to respond to the accusations levied by Guatemala’s Foreign Minister, Busano.
Carlos Fuller
Carlos Fuller, Belize’s Permanent Secretary, United Nations
“The assertion made in the Guatemalan statement regarding deaths of Guatemalans at the hands of Belize’s armed forces is completely baseless and false. The truth is, as confirmed by OAS verification reports that Guatemalans on a daily basis encroach on Belizean territory, deforesting our protected areas, cultivating illegal drugs, poaching endangered species and looting Mayan artifacts. These activities are contrary to international law and good neighborliness. Belize repeats its call for Guatemala and Belize under the Organization of American States to urgently engage in constructive discussions to agree a protocol to promote confidence and good neighborly relations in the Sarstoon River area.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.