Guatemalan Armed Forces Tells Belizeans to Leave Sarstoon River

The Belize Defense Force organized a media trip today to the recently renovated Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. Viewers will recall that B.D.F. soldiers had to vacate the base and relocate to Barranco Village due to its deteriorated state. There is once again a permanent B.D.F. presence at the base. And it is needed, because of the illicit activities that occur in the area, such as illegal fishing and human trafficking.  And as we found out firsthand, Guatemala is claiming the entirety of the Sarstoon River. Here is News Five’s Paul Lopez with more on what reporters encountered during their trip around the hotly contested island.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Belize Defense Force organized a media trip to the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base to cover the recently completed renovations at the location. Following the ceremony, Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander of the Belize Defense Force, organized a tour around Sarstoon island. Immediately after launching from the base, members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces deployed two vessels. Their military base is erected directly across from the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. The Guatemalan vessel made initial contact with a BDF vessel that was trailing behind. The Guatemalan armed forces then approached our vessel.

 

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“Good Afternoon, Do you speak spanish? Welcome to Guatemalan waters. What is the purpose of your visit?”

 

Paul Lopez

“This is Belize’s River. This is our river.”

 

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“No, this is Guatemala’s River.”

 

Paul Lopez

“No this is our river.”

 

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“What is your purpose of visit?”

 

Belize’s border begins at the center of the southern channel of Sarstoon Island. The BDF vessels and the boat we were in, were all within the limits of Belize’s territory. The Guatemalan Armed Forces’ vessel was also in Belize’s territory, though they claimed it as Guatemala’s and informed the group that we were trespassing. As we journeyed along the southern channel, adjacent to Sarstoon Island, two Guatemalan vessels followed. The tour reached the western end of Sarstoon Island and proceeded towards the Northern channel. Not surprisingly, the Guatemalan Armed Forces continued trailing the vessels further into Belize’s territory. Here, their vessel pulled up to ours once more. One soldier demanded to speak with an official on board.

 

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“This river is the property of Guatemala.”

 

Paul  Lopez

“This is for Belize. You don’t have permission.”

 

Guatemalan Armed Forces

“Please respect the protocol. I’m inviting you to leave Guatemala’s river please.”

 

At this point we were all in the northern channel which runs directly along Belize’s coast. Brigadier General Azariel Lorria intervened.

 

Brigadier General Azariel Loria, Commander, Belize Defense Force

“They say, you have heard it, that the whole river belongs to them. We are telling them no it is not so, it belongs to Belize. They are saying that it is undisputed there is no discussion. But we are at the ICJ at this moment so. It is not frustrating to me because this is not the first time that they are there following us. I have been here on numerous occasions and they always follow us. What we need to do is have a bit of common sense and report it through the channels. It is not for me to decide what to do here. So this, I have directed by commanders to document it, send it to the Ministry of National Defense and Border Security and they will send it to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then it will become diplomatic and they will know what to do.”

Guatemalan Armed Forces followed our vessels until we reached the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base. They then stopped, in Belize’s territory, and observed until our vessel left the river. Reporting for News 5, I am Paul Lopez.