Guatemala Pushes Back Against PM’s UN Speech

Hours after Belize Prime Minister John Briceño addressed the United Nations, Guatemala issued a response to defend the country’s actions and stress its commitment to international law.

In his Friday speech, Briceño accused Guatemala of carrying out “repeated aggression and provocative actions” along the Sarstoon River. “Though our territory is contested, we remain firm, not belligerent, tested but not subdued, threatened but not deterred, because the rule of law is on our side,” Briceño added.

The Guatemalan delegation said it was “using its right of reply in reference to the statement made by the Prime Minister John Briceno at the general debate.”

Guatemala reiterated that it has submitted its territorial claims to the International Court of Justice and is awaiting a ruling. “We reiterate what the President of the Republic of Guatemala said on Wednesday, 23rd of September, 2025, in this very room, and I quote, ‘The future resolution ruling of the International Court of Justice will put an end to the territorial island and maritime dispute with Belize,'” the Guatemalan representative stated.

The delegation said that “immediate actions were taken” to address the incidents that took place in the Sarstoon, including a meeting between the ministries of defence of both countries and a bilateral discussion between President Alejandro Arévalo of Guatemala and Briceño.

The delegation said that “an imprecise version being spread of what happened both in the domestic and international media, as well as in international forums such as the United Nations, Caricom and the Commonwealth, does not contribute to strengthening mutual trust and confidence.”