Tonight, Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay is preparing for a bi-lateral meeting with his Guatemalan counterpart. It is scheduled for next week, where he will again have to complain about the Guatemalan military entering Belizean territory.
That's after the events of Sunday where the Belize Territorial Volunteers were again stalked by the Guatemalan military on and around Sarstoon Island - which is Belize's southernmost border. But, this time, the Territorial volunteers had 5 boats out there with about 100 people. It was one of their largest showings yet - but that turnout hardly restrained the Guatemalan military which acted with its usual audacity on Belizean territory - in fact they even turned it up a notch!
It resulted in a showdown where the volunteers planted four flags on Sarstoon Island - and claimed the GAF removed all four.
And through all this harassment - the clearest rebuke to those Guatemalan soldiers came from a teenage girl. Jules Vasquez reports:
Kristel Melchor, Belmopan
"This is the property of Belize...in Belizean waters, this flag does not represent Guatemala, it represents us, so this flag has to stay here, in Belizean territory. "
That was the stark warning that 15-year-old Belmopan Comprehensive student Kristel Melchor hollered at the Guatemalan Armed Forces on Sunday - fearlessly taking a stand.
Kristel is a national team football player, and she was there with her mom and sister, warding off the Guatemalans from taking what would be the third flag planted on that day on or adjacent to Sarstoon Island
And while you may have found it moving, the Guatemalans weren't moved, and swooped right in to take that same flag.
And, being called a thief didn't bother them - they just motored off, while the BTV team unveiled flag #4
Wil Maheia, Belize Territorial Volunteers
"Third flag front of our face, front of the BDF - them tyrants came and take our flag. This time here, I will guard this flag. I want them to come now."
From there Maheia, the young Ms Melchor and Attorney Audrey Matura took a stand on a fallen log pitched on the banks of Sarstoon island - as the Guatemalans cruised by ominously - they GAF knew that taking this flag would prove difficult.
Wil Maheia, Belize Territorial Volunteers
"Tell them come. No guns. Let them take us."
It was a valid dare the Guatemalans didn't press too much on - realizing it would get physical - and that could be dangerous.
Nothing happened for a while. But they couldn't hold the flag on the log forever, it had to be planted - and Matura seized on the moment - she took it to another level - by fording out to the mangrove island - in an act of either extreme patriotism or extreme self-promotion.
Will Maheia splashed in behind - he had no choice - the uber patriot had been one-upped.
With great effort, they clambered unto the slippery mangrove roots - and there they were, the flag bearers for troubled times, planting the flag on this difficult to access mangrove island. A difficult climb, but perhaps less so in platforms.
And then they were three - three brave souls - standing on mangrove roots to declare it Belizean territory - like a mangrove Iwo Jima monument.
Maybe dramatic - but they earned it!
When done. They went to the BDF base to get back their three flags. But Maheia says there is still unfinished business:
Will Maheia, Belize Territorial Volunteers
"The Guatemalans, I don't know if they turned back the fourth flag to them, but we know that they went on to the island to remove that flag, but they took our fourth flag as well. So we are appealing to the government of Belize to we want back our flag."
Overall, Maheai says - that in this 15th year - the maritime mood of the Guatemalan navy is not improving:
Will Maheia, Belize Territorial Volunteers
"Well this year definitely compared to previous years, they were more bold in the fact that they did not wait until we leave before they took our flag. They took the flags right in front of our faces and in front of the BDF's face."
And even though the PUDP politicians always promise to do better, the status quo remains:
Will Maheia, Belize Territorial Volunteers
"Well no, it did not stop, it's not stopping now - it did not stop under the UDP, It did not stopping under the PUP. The Guatemalans continue to encroach into Belize's territory, continue to disrespect Belize and in my opinion, not much is being done."
"I mean you will recall and you can go to your footages that they were so adamant about making a difference that we took almost every PUP members that's in parliament now - came with the BTV to the Sarstoon and promised that once they get in this would not happen. Well, it is still happening."
We did ask Foreign Minister Courtenay for a comment this evening, and he said, quote, "Clearly, Guatemalan forces violated our territory this weekend and wrongfully uprooted Belizean flags. The official report is being finalised by the BDF and once in hand we will lodge a formal protest and demand the return of any flag that is still in their possession. I have a bilateral with Foreign Minister Bucaro next week and I will again protest in the strongest possible terms. We remain convinced that a protocol is needed to avoid incidents like these. So far Guatemala has refused to agree to such a protocol." End quote.
