BREAKING: Guatemala Says BDF Entered Its Territory Without Authorisation

Guatemala has officially responded to a statement issued by the Government of Belize regarding recent incidents along the Sarstoon River, an area at the centre of a longstanding territorial dispute.

Over the weekend, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) travelled from Punta Gorda to the Sarstoon River, where they planted the Belizean flag on Sarstoon Island. The move came just days after Guatemalan soldiers raised their own flag there on September 10.

Founder Wil Maheia told us that the Belize Coast Guard and the BDF escorted the group, ensuring they could reach the island despite Guatemalan Armed Forces’ attempts to block them. “We were able to plant the flag and sing the national anthem. I was relieved and thankful,” he said.

The Government of Belize lodged a formal protest at the highest level, accusing Guatemala of violating Belize’s sovereignty.

On Tuesday, Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement in which it expressed “deep regret” over the alleged incursions, claiming that units of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) entered Guatemalan territory via the Sarstoon River on September 10, 12, and 13 without authorisation.

“These illegal incursions pose a serious risk to Guatemalan civilians living along or travelling through the river and its banks, which is unacceptable,” the statement read. Guatemala further lamented that the incidents took place just before its Independence Day celebrations.

According to ministry, the Guatemalan Army acted within its constitutional mandate to defend sovereignty “with prudence and responsibility, preventing escalation and avoiding confrontation.” It said BDF “provocations” were contained through dialogue rather than force, underscoring the Guatemalan military’s professionalism and commitment to peace.

The Guatemalan Government also rejected Belize’s claim of sovereignty over Sarstoon Island, which it insists is part of Guatemalan territory. It accused Belize of exaggerating the situation in international forums in an attempt to destabilise relations.