And in other news, we've been reporting on the recent incursions into the Sarstoon by the Guatemalan Armed Forces. You've seen the videos of the BDF's vessels being surrounded by the GAF and you've heard Belmopan's response - that they've been working the diplomatic channels and have been in communication with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense in Guatemala.
Well, it seems both governments are on two very different pages. That's because the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement today basically gaslighting Belize and blaming the BDF for the recent incidents on the Sarstoon. The statement says quote, "Belize Defense Forces entered national territory via the Sarstoon River without authorization, in violation of Guatemala's territorial integrity." End quote.
The ministry then claims that it was the GAF that had to defend its territorial sovereignty and ensure that the confrontation did not escalate. They state that, quote, "The provocations by the Belize Defense Forces were contained through dialogue, without resorting to the use of force" End quote.
The Guatemalan government also stated that they are rejecting attempts by Belize to exercise sovereignty and claims that the Sarstoon Island belongs to it. It also states that it, quote, "regrets that Belize has resorted to exaggerating the situation in international media …an attitude that reflects an intention to destabilize and unnecessarily magnify the incidents. Guatemala calls on the Government of Belize to... refrain from such unnecessary confrontational incursions... Guatemala categorically denies that there exists, or could exist an agreed-upon 'joint Sarstoon protocol or mechanism.'" End quote.
