Guatemalan Armed Forces in Belizean Waters, Again! 

Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) were found operating within Belizean territory for the second time last week. Reports of the Guatemalan naval ships in Belizean waters first emerged on Saturday morning. One of the ships named Quetzal was spotted off the coast of Barranco Village.

Despite being informed by the BDF that they were outside their jurisdiction and provided with GPS coordinates, the Guatemalan forces refused to leave. The situation was only resolved when the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) intervened. Several hours went by before the Guatemalan vessels departed

Major Roberta Usher, Chief of Staff of the BDF, said that the patrol, which was routine, detected the Guatemalan vessels near their Forward Operating Base (FOB). The vessels, numbering between three and five, were seen moving between Belizean and Guatemalan waters over the weekend. The BDF conducted reconnaissance and collected information, while the Coast Guard mapped the territorial boundaries. Authorities are now awaiting confirmation on whether the Guatemalan vessels were illegally intruding or if there were other issues at play. The BDF is working to gather all necessary information before determining if any breach of sovereignty occurred.

In response to these incidents, the United Democratic Party has criticised the Guatemalan actions as intimidation and is urging the Briceño administration to establish a formal protocol for operations on the Sarstoon River.