The Belize-Guatemala ICJ Ruling Nears to ‘Settle the Unfounded Claim’

Belize’s decades-long territorial dispute with Guatemala is edging closer to a historic conclusion, and Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca says the country must remain united long before the International Court of Justice delivers its final ruling.

Fonseca said that now more than ever Belizeans should come together and share the spirit of national pride as Belize heads into its 45th independence year.

“We expect that within the next two years this issue will be resolved and put behind us in a diplomatic process, peacefully. But once and for all, we will settle this unfounded claim,” Fonseca said.

Last Thursday, Belize and Guatemala reaffirmed their commitment to honouring and implementing the ICJ’s eventual judgement. Both governments signed a Joint Declaration during the Organization of American States General Assembly in Panama and pledged to accept the court’s decision as final and binding while calling on the OAS to continue supporting confidence-building measures until the ruling is handed down.

While the ICJ’s decision will mark the most significant milestone for the history of both countries, Fonseca said it is equally important to remind the people of Belize that they “are the greatest strength of the country”, Fonseca added.