Time to Review Guat Nationality Applications

Edmund Zuniga

The Nationality Vetting Committee, according to C.E.O. and member Edmund Zuniga, continues to try to seek out legal information on how the Republic of Guatemala handles renunciation for those wishing to become Belizean. For now, it accepts the word-of-mouth procedure which Zuniga detailed in his testimony before the Senate Special Select Committee, but as previously noted, it has not processed applications for nationality by any Guatemalan, and Zuniga agreed for a review of past applications once the law is known to confirm whether renunciations were properly done and documented.

Edmund Zuniga, C.E.O., Ministry of Immigration and Nationality

“The practice has been that the Guatemalan applicant signs renunciation document in front of a Justice of the Peace as part of the application. More recently, we have been submitting their passports, the Guatemalans’ passports, to the embassy in Belize, but beside that, that is what is required.”

Eamon Courtenay, P.U.P. Senator

“Do you know as a matter of Guatemalan law and procedure what is required for a Guatemalan national to renounce his nationality?”

Edmund Zuniga

“I understand there is a procedure in Guatemala, which requires the individual to go before one of their offices, I think their registry, and then the person’s name is then struck out of their register of citizens, before that renunciation is accepted. That is my understanding of it.”

Eamon Courtenay

“Similar to my last set of questions, in relation to persons who, it is established, have not satisfied the requirements in Guatemala for renunciation, would you support a review for all Guatemalans who have applied for nationality and who have been given nationality, to see whether they complied with the law, and therefore whether or not they lawfully acquired Belizean nationality?”

Edmund Zuniga

“Sure. I would support that.”

Eamon Courtenay

“And if they did not, cancel or revoke their nationality?”

Edmund Zuniga

“Yes. That would be the thing to do.”

Eamon Courtenay

“You would not be concerned in that case about them becoming stateless?”

Edmund Zuniga

“I would still be concerned.”