Belize Warns Drug Operations Cannot Violate Its Sovereignty

Belize has called on the Organization of American States to investigate what the government describes as another serious violation of the country’s sovereignty by the Guatemalan Armed Forces. The move follows an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council, chaired by Prime Minister John Briceño on Monday. During the meeting, officials reviewed radar data confirming that a Guatemalan military reconnaissance aircraft entered Belizean airspace without authorization on September twenty-fourth. According to the government, the aircraft, identified by tail number FAG706, entered Belizean territory from the east at 7:29 that night, flying at an altitude of four thousand feet. At 8:07, the aircraft reportedly switched off its transponder, making it invisible to secondary radar. Belize’s primary radar detected it again three minutes later. The aircraft then traveled southwest, flew near Punta Ycacos in the Toledo District, and left Belizean airspace at approximately eight-forty. In total, it remained inside Belizean territory for roughly one hour and ten minutes. The government says the aircraft was participating in a regional counternarcotics operation that did not include Belize.  The National Security Council has now directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade to formally request an OAS investigation. That goes beyond Belize’s earlier request for the regional organization to seek clarification from Guatemala. Belize says it is prepared to hand over all available radar data and cooperate fully with the investigation. Belize says the fight against drug trafficking cannot come at the expense of its sovereignty. Following repeated Guatemalan military incursions in southern waters and threats on the Sarstoon River, the government is urging Guatemala to respect existing agreements and avoid actions that could destabilize the region.

 

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