In January of last year, the Government of Belize called out the Guatemalan Armed Forces for making an illegal incursion into Belizean territorial waters. They allegedly attempted to stop a research team from the Toledo Institute of Development and Environment from conducting studies at the Corona Reef System in the Sapodilla Cayes.
And now, it's happened again - except this time it's even more glaring. The news went out during the holiday weekend that members of the GAF had another stand-off with the Belize Territorial Volunteers.
In 2015, the BTV became well-known for unmasking the persistent attempts from the Guat. Armed Forces to stop Belizeans from transiting the Sarstoon River. The BTV demonstrated in real time that the Guat military continues to treat the Sarstoon River - which both countries share - as a sort of Immigration checkpoint into Guatemalan territory.
And, for the last ten years, this civilian organization has made an annual trip to the disputed Sarstoon Island for a show of patriotism during the September Celebrations. They were doing that on Sunday when several boats of heavily-armed Guatemalan military attempted to stop them from visiting the island in the middle of the river.
The resulting confrontation was caught on cell phone cameras, which were shared with our newsroom. Tonight, we take a closer look as the testy back and forth between the Guatemalans and the Belizeans on the river that should be the shared border between the two neighboring countries. Daniel Ortiz has that story:
During their Sunday trip to Sarstoon Island, the civilian group, Belize Territorial Volunteers, first encountered members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces a short distance away from the Mouth of the Sarstoon River.
The BTV entourage included Leader Wil Maheia, who was in the first of 5 boats. The other trip participants in the convoy included Miss Queen of the Bay Toledo and children scouts from the Toledo village of Colombia.
But that didn't stop several military vessels filled with armed GAF soldiers from trying to intercept them.
Here is Leader Wil Maheia trying to negotiate with the lead soldiers in the boats to avoid any active confrontation.
Wil Maheia - Leader, BTV
"We have kids onboard. You can't do that to the kids. Look at the kids in that boat over there. And you cannot stop us from going to our island. Tell them you cannot stop us from going around our island. Let us wait for the others. Let's go."
GAF Soldier
"We are currently?? [Inaudible] begging?? you to stop, please."
Wil Maheia
"Okay, so we're just going around our island."
And the BTV did just as Maheia told the soldier that they would. They attempted to proceed unhindered until the captains of military vessels actively positioned those boats to set up a makeshift barricade. They made it clear that they would not allow the BTV free passage.
GAF Solider
"Ven aca."
Wil Maheia
"This is Belizean territory, guys."
Unknown speaker
"Fix your -."
GAF Soldier
"Territorio Guatemala."
Wil Maheia
"No, mein. No, this is Belize. We are going to raise this flag on this island."
GAF Solider
"Este es territorio de Guatemala."
Wil Maheia
"No, no, no, no... Why all the arms? Porque Los armas? [Inaudible] Gente de amor esta aqui en este barco."
But, the BTV wasn't there to negotiate permission. Without any form of aggression toward the GAF contingent, they proceeded to Sarstoon Island in open defiance of the wishes of these soldiers.
As soon as they landed on the biggest Mangrove Roots of the island, the Belizeans launched into a ceremony of patriotism, which included belting out the lines of the National Anthem at the top of their voices, ensuring that the lurking GAF military personnel could hear them loud and clear.
BTV Members
"Put on your armor, clear the land. Drive back the tyrants. Let despots flee! Land of the Free by the Carib Sea."
The BTV then planted a Belizean National Flag on Sarstoon Island to complete the ceremony, which then led to a final stand-off between them and the lead officer of the GAF
GAF Soldier
"Please leave."
Wil Maheia
"No, give me my flag. You want me to leave? Give me my flag."
GAF Soldier
"Please leave."
Wil Maheia
"Give me my flag."
GAF Soldier
"You will be in diplomatic trouble if you don't leave."
Wil Maheia
"I want you to give me my flag."
GAF Soldier
"Please leave."
Wil Maheia
"Why did you take my flag?"
GAF Soldier
"Sir, you need to go to-"
Wil Maheia
"No, no, no, you came here and took down our flag from our island. That is ridiculous. That is ridiculous, and we want my flag. I am not leaving here until I get my flag. You want me to leave? Give me my flags."
GAF Soldier
"Leave."
Wil Maheia
"No, I am not leaving. I'm not leaving. I want my flags. That's my flag, from my country. I want my flag."
GAF Soldier
"You put your flag in my country."
Wil Maheia
"Huh!? Get that."
GAF Solider
"You put your flag in my country. We are friendly."
Wil Maheia
"I want my flag."
GAF Soldier
"Sarstoon river belongs to Guatemala."
Wil Maheia
"No, no, no. We're not going anywhere until we get our flag. We're not going anywhere."
In the end, Wil and the Territorial Volunteers relented and left the area without their flag. But they reported the incident to the Belize Defense Force.
We note that the boats used and the military attire of men aboard were nearly indistinguishable from the BTV's previous adversaries, who were caught on camera on a similar blockade effort in 2015.
