By Belize Live News Staff: Guatemala has issued a sharp rebuke to Belize following the latest flare-up at the Sarstoon River, accusing the Belize Defence Force (BDF) of crossing into Guatemalan territory without permission.
Over the weekend, the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) traveled to Sarstoon Island and planted the Belizean flag, supported by the Coast Guard and BDF. The move came after Guatemalan soldiers hoisted their flag there on September 10, a provocation that sparked Belize’s official protest.
In its Tuesday statement, Guatemala expressed “deep regret” and claimed Belize exaggerated the events for international sympathy. “These illegal incursions pose a serious risk to Guatemalan civilians,” the ministry wrote, while emphasizing that its army prevented escalation “through dialogue, not force.”
Guatemala flatly rejected Belize’s sovereignty claim over Sarstoon Island and said it will continue to defend its position in line with constitutional duty. Meanwhile, Belize maintains that the Sarstoon is part of its recognized borders and has condemned Guatemala’s actions as blatant violations of international law.
