Guatemala’s Tourism Invitation or Sovereignty Statement?

A tourism billboard is supposed to invite visitors, but a Guatemalan campaign appearing across Belize is sending a very different message to some Belizeans. The slogan, “Guatemala Welcomes You with Open Arms,” has drawn criticism amid the ongoing territorial dispute, with some questioning whether the wording carries implications beyond tourism. Prime Minister John Briceño says he understands those concerns but believes the campaign simply aims to attract Belizean visitors. Still, he acknowledges that changing the slogan could help prevent confusion.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think it’s a bit misleading, but, From what I’m told, basically it is a tourist billboard whereby they’re welcoming Belizeans to go and visit Guatemala. We don’t usually go to visit Guatemala, we go to Mexico. So I think it’s it’s more from a touristical aspect. Maybe the billboard owners should ask them to, if they could reword it to remove that, that, that kind of fear or phobia as if we’re saying, as Guatemala is saying, where Belize, we welcome them to be a part of Guatemala. Oh, we no. We would never be a part of Guatemala.”

 

Leader of the Opposition Tracy Panton has strongly condemned the billboards, saying, quote, This is not tourism promotion. It is a political provocation, and it must be treated as such, end quote.

 

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.

 

Watch the full newscast here: