Guatemalan Military Incursion Tests Belize Relations

Belize and Guatemala speak the language of peaceful diplomacy, but their militaries do not always follow the same script. Weeks after a Guatemalan military aircraft reportedly entered Belizean airspace, questions remain about what happened and how Belize will respond. Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca says relations between both governments remain cordial, but points to Guatemala’s military as a longstanding source of tension.

 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Where we are continuing to have very serious problems is at the military level. The GAF continue, as we all know, to act absolutely without any consideration for the diplomatic relationship we have and without consideration for the established measures we have adopted between ourselves to ensure we don’t have difficulties and challenges. We respond as a sovereign democratic nation, committed to peace. We respond that way. When these things happen, we condemn them. We protest very strongly. We reach out engage directly with the Guatemalan government. We also engage with all of our friends and partners to make sure they are briefed. We engage with OAS. We have activated the OAS. They are working now on a full inquiry into this latest incident with the GAF plane entering our airspace. They are going to do an independent inquiry into that matter.”

 

Minister Fonseca confirmed the OAS’ independent investigation into the incursion.

 

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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