US Ambassador Praises BDF Restraint Amid Sarstoon Tensions

US Ambassador to Belize André Bauer says the Belize Defence Force deserves recognition for its restraint during the latest confrontation with Guatemalan military vessels in the Sarstoon.

Bauer said that a single reaction could have escalated tensions and resulted differently. 

The latest tension at the Sarstoon involves two Guatemalan Armed Forces vessels allegedly crossing into Belizean waters and approaching a BDF patrol. Bauer said the professionalism shown by Belizean personnel was significant, particularly given the circumstances.

“ I wanna recognise that for a bunch of young people that are tasked with keeping this country safe, to not react is a big deal. For young people to conduct themselves and not respond back, but to keep themselves professional, I think we all, as Belizeans and people that live here as part of Belizean society, should be very thankful that that didn’t escalate,” Bauer told News 5.

“My understanding is this happens often. And so to have a demeanor, to have a professionalism to say, ‘Nope, we’re not gonna respond. We’re gonna wait and have our day in court,’” he added.

He said the upcoming proceedings before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) scheduled for 2027 offer hope of finally resolving the Belize-Guatemala territory dispute. “ I’m excited about what that will do for them, for how people feel about their country, to know that this is finally over, and they can move forward ’cause it’s gone on far too long,” Bauer said.