Panton Questions Belize’s Military Readiness to Defend the Sarstoon

Belize’s military preparedness is under question. Opposition Leader Tracy Panton is challenging the Briceño administration to explain whether the Belize Defence Force and Coast Guard have the capacity to defend the country’s sovereignty along the Sarstoon.

“We need to tell the Belizean people whether we have the capabilities that we need to defend our sovereignty and where we intend to garner the support of allies where deficiencies exist,” she told News 5. 

Over the past few weeks, tensions have been flaring up in Sarstoon, with videos showing Guatemalan military vessels becoming more aggressive by ramming onto Belizean military vessels.

Panton also questioned whether the Briceño administration has considered recalling Belize’s ambassador from Guatemala as a stronger diplomatic response.

She asked, “Has there been any thought to recall our ambassador from Guatemala as a way of strong protest that what is occurring in the Sarstoon cannot and will not be countenanced by us as a population?”