UDP Condemns Guatemalan “Incursion” in Sarstoon, Calls for Strategy to Prevent More Incidents

The United Democratic Party (UDP) has condemned what it calls a Guatemalan military incursion and intimidation on the Sarstoon River and wants the government to back its protest with a clear plan to prevent further incidents.

The Opposition said it “strongly condemns the incursion into Belizean waters and the aggressive approach towards a Belize Defence Force patrol by Guatemalan Armed Forces vessels in the Sarstoon River.”

The UDP said they threaten the safety of Belize’s security personnel and the country’s territorial integrity.

The party stood with the Belize Defence Force and the Belize Coast Guard. It commended their “professionalism, discipline and restraint” and said they deserve the full support, equipment and resources to do their jobs safely.

The party noted the government’s plan to lodge a formal protest with Guatemala and report the incident to the Organization of American States. It said those steps “must be accompanied by sustained diplomatic engagement and a clear strategy to prevent further incidents.”

The party said it “remains ready to support a firm, coordinated and responsible national response.