PM Briceño on GAF Incursion: “What do they expect us to do? Shoot them out of the water?”

It’s not the first time, and Belizeans are left wondering how much longer Belize will have to face the same confrontation at the southern borders. 

On Tuesday, a Guatemalan patrol boat illegally entered Belizean waters near the Sapodilla Cayes once again. According to Coast Guard Commander Captain Elton Bennett, the Belizean patrol encountered a Guatemalan vessel, identified as a 65-foot vessel that “appeared to be a hydrographic vessel belonging to the Guatemalan Navy.”

These specialised ships are designed for surveying underwater features, such as water depth and seabed characteristics. While the vessel itself may not be armed, the BH-656 Gucumatz hosted a crew of Guatemalan coast guards on board, “patrolling their maritime territories,” reported local Guatemalan news.

Captain Bennett said that the incident was resolved after the Belize Coast Guard intervened, and the Guatemalan vessel departed after several hours. 

Major Roberta Usher, BDF Chief of Staff, confirmed the vessel had been moving between Belizean and Guatemalan waters over the weekend, and authorities are still awaiting confirmation of any illegal intrusion. And while they wait, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is certain that this was an illegal incursion. In a press release, the ministry said that is “received information of a Guatemalan vessel that was illegally traversing within Belizean waters.” 

And while it is not the first time, it marks the second sighting of a Guatemalan vessel in Belize’s waters in the last three months, the last time being back in September. Bennett pointed out that the lack of clear markers makes border determination difficult, with Belize exercising jurisdiction based on equidistance between the two countries.

In an interview today with the Prime Minister, John Briceño, he said that Belize takes “any” incidents such as these seriously. “Whenever that happens, we take it seriously… We would go and inform them that they’re in Belizean waters.” He also stated that using diplomatic efforts is important to avoid unnecessary escalation. “We need to be able to be firm but diplomatic. Making sure that they understand that they’re in our waters and that we will not allow them to come into our waters,” Briceño said, adding that Belize “writes to the OAS, and copy it to the Guatemalan government” every time such incidents occur.

 

Briceño also addressed concerns from Belizeans about territorial violations and pointed out the challenge of confronting a significantly stronger Guatemalan force. He told the media, “What do they expect us to do? Shoot them out of the water?”

Briceño added, “As much as we want to do more, what else can we do? Whatever citizen would say that I would want to hear the advice, what would they do?”