Earlier in the news, you heard a statement from the Guatemalan Ministry of Foreign Affairs in which they claimed that it's the BDF who's encroaching on their territory and that the Sarstoon Island belonged to them.
Belize's Foreign Affairs Ministry has fired back with a press release just a few moments ago. It states that it, quote, "rejects the bold attempt of the Government of...Guatemala to present alternative facts in order to seek to distort the narrative of what transpired at the Sarstoon. Belize does not doubt its sovereignty over its side of the Sarstoon River. The unalterable fact is that the boundary between Belize and Guatemala was established in the 1859 Treaty as the mid-channel of the Sarstoon River. The Sarstoon Island lies squarely within Belize's sovereign territory Furthermore, the 1859 Treaty provides that the channels of the river are equally free and open to the vessels of both countries. In any case," End quote.
Belize also refutes Guatemala's assertions that the BDF acted in a provocative manner, especially since videos that have been published clearly show the professional, calm, and restrained conduct of the soldiers.
The release then states, quote, "The tensions of the past week underscore the urgency of a mechanism for cooperation in the Sarstoon and maritime spaces. Finalising such a mechanism would be a clear demonstration of the commitment of the two countries to peace and security in the area." End quote.
