A Guatemalan gunboat in Belizean waters; it’s the kind of headline that grabs attention, and it happened earlier this week near Hunting Caye. The Belize Coast Guard had to escort the vessel out after it was found in Belizean waters. When questioned, the Guatemalan sailors claimed they were lost and didn’t realize they had crossed into our territory. But this wasn’t just any boat, it’s reportedly one of Guatemala’s largest gunboats, typically used to patrol sensitive areas like the Sarstoon, Corona Reef, and the Sapodilla Cayes. That’s why the incident sparked concern and skepticism among the public, with many questioning whether the incursion was really accidental. Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca says Belizean forces handled the situation calmly and professionally, and that diplomacy remains the first line of defense.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“The people of Belize, in perhaps the most democratic process we have available to us, our referendum made a in perhaps the most democratic process we have available to us, our referendum made a decision several years ago to pursue a peaceful resolution. This differendum between Belize and Guatemala. So we’re pursuing that through that ICJ. The government of Belize has a duty and obligation while we pursue that peaceful resolution of this case to obviously protect the national sovereignty of the territory of Belize. We have a duty and obligation. The Belize Defense Force, the Belize Coast guard are out there everyday carrying out that duty honorably, faithfully, fearlessly, they’re doing it. The question, as you pointed, out a few days ago the Coast guard responded to it immediately when there were notified about the presence of a vessel and they responded to the site immediately. they got their identified it as a GAF vessel within Belizean waters. they followed established protocol, they went up to the vessel, the informed the crew on board who they were and they advise them that they were in Belize and waters. they had a discussion, a short exchange and the Coast guard then escorted the GAS vessel out of Belizean water. So that is what took place.”
