By Belize Live News Staff: Party lines are being set aside as Belize faces fresh tensions with Guatemala.
Prime Minister John Briceño says he welcomes and embraces the support of Opposition Leader Tracy Panton after his address to the United Nations General Assembly.
“Some matters rise above party politics,” Briceño wrote in a Saturday evening post.
At the UN, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Belize’s sovereignty, its territorial integrity and the right of Belizeans to determine their own future. He says those principles belong to every Belizean, regardless of political affiliation.
“On these fundamental matters, there should be no Government and Opposition, only Belizeans,” he said.
It is a rare moment of unity in Belizean politics.
Just hours before the UN address, Panton issued a forceful message titled “Tell Guatemala leave Belize alone.” She said Guatemalan military threats made around Belize’s 45th Independence anniversary must not be normalized. She said diplomacy is essential but must be firm and backed by action.
The Opposition Leader also said Belize cannot be expected to rely on appeals for restraint while facing threats at its borders and in its airspace.
Her party has separately demanded that the Government seek a direct explanation from Guatemala over an aircraft spotted near Lighthouse Reef and Caye Caulker. The UDP also wants the incident raised with regional and international partners. That incident followed the Guatemalan Navy’s incursion into the Sarstoon on September 10.
The UDP has said it stands ready to support every lawful and peaceful measure needed to defend Belize’s sovereignty.
Now, the Prime Minister has answered in kind.
“I embrace the Leader of the Opposition in that shared national purpose, as together we stand for Belize,” Briceño wrote.
His closing line summed up the moment.
“When it comes to the defence of our nation, we stand as one.”
