In the past two weeks, Guatemala re-opened discussions at the OAS, the British announced a greatly increased training presence in Belize, and next week the Commander of U.S. Southern Command, a four star general, will visit Belize. Add to that list of major developments: the visit of Mexican President Vicente Fox at the end of June and even conspiracy doubters might find it a little too cute that all this coincides with the discovery of significant oil reserves in Belize.
But according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of natural Resources John Briceno - one scenario that he will not entertain is that the oil discovery will make Guatemala even more covetous of Belize's territory.
Johnny Briceno, Deputy Prime Minister
"I think that it even the Guatemalans privately have accepted that Belize is a reality, Belize is here to stay, and I think that they, for whatever reasons, they are trying to prolong the negotiations. We know that we are here to stay. We as a country are going to continue to defend our interests, the Prime Minister as even indicated that if they want they can go to the International Court of Justice and that is one court they do not want to go because they know that they have a weak case and should they go they are going to lose. I think the best chances for Guatemala, where they can get the maximum benefit from their unfounded claim, is probably the OAS where they can try to get some sort of financial assistance from the Friends of Belize. Belize is here to stay as what Mr. Price has said before, not one single square centimeter is not ours."
