Annual Sarstoon Expeditions: Are They Necessary or Too Risky?

Belizeans have once again stood their ground on the Sarstoon, but Prime Minister John Briceño says defending the country’s sovereignty must also come with restraint. Last week’s confrontation between Belizean civilians and several Guatemalan military vessels has renewed concerns about tensions along the southern border. While the Prime Minister praised the Belize Territorial Volunteers for refusing to be intimidated, he also warned that future expeditions must not trigger a dangerous escalation. Tonight, we hear his position on the standoff and whether another journey to Sarstoon Island is necessary.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Wil and I, we’re personal friends and I want to thank Wil to be able to for better min- better heads to prevail. Because as much as we know that the Sarstoon, the mid channel belongs to us, we can’t provoke them, these people. Because what if they were going to sh- fire at a boat? What are we to do? Our BDF is going to f- fire back, and then there’s going to be a massacre. And then what? Then you all are going to be holding us responsible allowing a massacre to happen. So I want to thank them because what we did, we stood, they stood right there facing, the Belize 12 boats, both civilian and military boats, and did not flinch. And they stayed there and stared them in the eye and said this is where we’re not going to move.” So we are very grateful. We’re very grateful that they have taken that stance, but at the same time we’re very grateful that that we allowed calmer heads to prevail.”

 

Shane Williams

“Would you advise them to return?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think we’ve made a point. I think we’ve made a point, and if they decide to go back again, of course we’re going to be there with them. But sometimes it’s best to just leave things. We’ve made the point.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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