Commonwealth Condemns Guatemalan Incursions into Belize

The Commonwealth Secretary-General has also condemned recent Guatemalan military incursions into Belize. The organisation’s Secretary-General, Shirley Botchwey, issued a statement today calling the actions a threat to regional stability.

“Such actions threaten regional stability and risk undermining the growth of stronger ties between these neighbouring countries,” she said. “They are unacceptable. I unequivocally condemn them.”

Botchwey said the Commonwealth stands with CARICOM in urging “restraint and respect for international law and state sovereignty.”

On Tuesday, CARICOM also condemned the actions, stating the Guatemalan Armed Forces “flagrantly violated Belize’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
“The region and the world are watching. The Commonwealth continues to affirm the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Belize, a treasured member of our 56-nation Commonwealth family,” Botchwey added.

Meanwhile, the Guatemalan government rejected Belize’s claim of sovereignty over Sarstoon Island.

On Tuesday, Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Minex) stated that “Belize Defence Force entered national territory through the Sarstoon River without the required authorisation, in violation of the territorial integrity of Guatemala. These illegal entries pose a serious risk to the Guatemalan civilian population that lives in or transits the river and its banks, which is unacceptable.”

The Guatemalan government insisted the territory belongs to Guatemala and accused Belize of exaggerating the situation in international forums to destabilise relations.