Belize and Guatemala are following the necessary steps to resolve Guatemala's territorial claim once and for all at the International Court of Justice. But, the Guatemalan Armed Forces are once again making news in Belize after they made an illegal incursion into Belizean territory, trying to enforce their laws on Belizeans.
Viewers will remember that back in August of 2015, Wil Maheia and the Belize Territorial Volunteers demonstrated in real-time how the GAF attempts to stop Belizeans from transiting the Sarstoon River. Well, reports reaching us is that last week they did something similar with a scientific research team from the Toledo Institute of Development and Environment (TIDE). But, instead of the Sarstoon, this confrontation happened within the Sapodilla Cayes, which is part of Belize's southernmost territory.
In a press release today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, confirmed that they received reliable reports that on the morning of December 31st, 2020, members of the Guatemalan Navy entered Belize's Territorial Waters. They were aboard a Guat. Navy Vessel, and at one point, they were more than a kilometer north of the median line between Belize and Guatemala.
That makes it Belizean territory, and according to the Foreign Affairs Ministry, these Guat. Navy officials approached TIDE's scientific research team, which was conducting environmental studies in the area of the Corona Reef System, which is inside the Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve. Without lawful authority, Guat. Navy personnel requested written Guatemalan authorization from the research team to conduct their activities in the Sapodilla ranges.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the TIDE team maintained their stance that they were well within Belize's territory, and that they were authorized to be there by the Government of Belize. This research team concluded their day's work, and they returned without further incident. Reports from the south tell us that because of this incident, the team returned a day early from their research dive.
The Government says that it is conducting a full investigation and review of the matter.
A press release from Foreign Affairs says, quote, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Immigration strongly protests the unlawful incursion of Guatemalan naval personnel for violating Belize's sovereignty and territorial integrity and will be raising the matter with its international partners." End quote.
