Guatemalans Flexed On Independence Day, Belize Military Held Its Ground

On Sunday, Independence day parades and parties were held across the country, but, again, the Guatemalans chose to be aggressive on the Sarstoon.

The day started with reports that a Guatemalan Navy vessel appeared in front of Punta Gorda town, but the commandant of the Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Elton Bennet told us that was not so. He did say that the Coast Guard patrol visited Sarstoon and encountered the GAF at the entrance to the river.

Reports told us that the Guatemalan Navy vessels on the Sarstoon were also behaving aggressively to the Coast Guard and BDF patrols. The Belizean vessels numbered 5, while the Guatemalans reportedly had 8 vessels out there.

Fortunately there was no dramatic escalation beyond that.