By Belize Live News Staff: Guatemala has broken its silence following reports of a possible unauthorized flight by a Guatemalan military aircraft over Belizean territory.
The Guatemalan Ministry of National Defence issued a statement Thursday addressing reports circulating in Belize concerning an alleged military aircraft overflight near Lighthouse Reef Atoll and Caye Caulker.
Rather than directly confirming or denying the specific flight, Guatemala said its armed forces conduct all operations in accordance with national and international law.
The Ministry also stressed that its military operates with professionalism, discipline and respect for human rights and works in coordination with Guatemalan state institutions.
The response follows a statement from Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs saying preliminary reports had been received concerning the unauthorized presence of a Guatemalan military aircraft in Belizean airspace.
Belizean authorities are working to verify the circumstances.
Belize has said clearly that if an unauthorized military incursion is confirmed, it would constitute a violation of the country’s sovereignty.
The incident comes at a particularly sensitive time in Belize Guatemala relations, with the two countries’ territorial dispute still before the International Court of Justice. Belize has consistently identified preservation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity as a major foreign policy priority.
The key question now is whether Belize’s investigation confirms that a Guatemalan military aircraft crossed into Belizean airspace without authorization.
