Belize Urges Back-to-Back Hearings on Territorial Disputes

Belize’s borders remain in the global spotlight tonight. Right now, two cases before the International Court of Justice could reshape the map as we know it. One involves Guatemala’s long-standing territorial claims, and the other centers on a cluster of cayes in the Gulf of Honduras known as the Sapodillas. These disputes matter because they go beyond borders, they strike at the heart of sovereignty, security, and national identity. Belize argues that resolving both cases efficiently is crucial, even suggesting the court hear them back-to-back to avoid delays and duplication. But here’s what we’re asking: What would a ruling mean for Belize’s future? Could coordination between these cases strengthen Belize’s position, or expose new vulnerabilities? And how do these proceedings impact regional diplomacy? Tonight, we dive into the stakes behind Belize’s push for a definitive resolution at the ICJ. We begin with Ambassador Assad Shoman from The Hague.

 

Ambassador Assad Shoman, Special Envoy for the Prime Minister of Belize

“There are two cases currently before the court concerning Belize’s territorial integrity. First, in 2019, by way of a special agreement, Belize and Guatemala requested that the court resolve any and all legal claims of Guatemala against Belize to land and insular territories and to any maritime areas pertaining to those territories and to determine the boundaries between them. Second, in 2022, Belize invoked the court’s jurisdiction in the present case with Honduras which concerns a smaller area within the same territory, but one significant to Belize. A range of cayes in the south of the Gulf of Honduras called the Sapodillas. There are disputes between Belize and each of Guatemala and Honduras concerning sovereignty over those cayes. Before Belize instituted these proceedings, it engaged in bilateral discussions and exchanges with Honduras, but Honduras did not abandon its claim to sovereignty over the Sapodillas. Belize, therefore, commenced the present proceedings to ensure the full resolution of all territorial claims against it. For Belize, the pressing issue remains the need for an efficient and complete resolution of all claims against Belize’s territory by both Guatemala and Honduras. Belize considers that this objective will be best served by coordination of the two cases. How to achieve such coordination is, of course, a matter for the court. It would be logical for the court to hear Guatemala/Belize first and then immediately, or very shortly thereafter, to hear the more confined case of Belize/Honduras. That would facilitate efficient use of the court’s resources. Participants in the second case could refer to matters already covered in the first and so, minimize repetition.”