Guatemalan military into Belize. “I am deeply disturbed by recent reports that the Guatemalan Army hoisted their flag on Belizean territory, attempted to intercept a Belizean military vessel, and obstructed Belizeans from using the Sarstoon River’. “Such actions threaten regional stability and risk undermining the growth of stronger ties between these neighbouring countries. They are unacceptable. I unequivocally condemn them. I commend the Belizean military for responding with professionalism and restraint on each occasion to avoid further escalation, while asserting Belize’s legal position,” Botchway said. The Belize government has “forthrightly” rejected a statement issued by Guatemala in which it sought to present “alternative facts” following an incident at the Sarstoon River last Wednesday.

In a statement, Belmopan said that it is aware of a press release issued by the Guatemala government concerning the events that occurred at the Sarstoon River over September 10-13 this year. “The government forthrightly rejects the bold attempt of the government of the Republic of Guatemala to present alternative facts in order to seek to distort the narrative of what transpired at the Sarstoon.” Belize has already indicated that that it would be lodging a formal protest “at the highest level” after a contingent from the Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) planted a Guatemalan flag on Belizean soil.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Guatemala in a statement while expressing “deep regret” at the incursion, said nonetheless that “these illegal incursions pose a serious risk to Guatemalan civilians living along or travelling through the river and its banks, which is unacceptable”. It said also that the incidents took place just before its Independence Day celebrations and that the Guatemalan Army acted within its constitutional mandate to defend sovereignty “with prudence and responsibility, preventing escalation and avoiding confrontation”. (Jamaica Gleaner)