By Belize Live News Staff: Prime Minister John Briceño is expected to address the United Nations General Assembly this morning as Belize prepares another diplomatic protest to Guatemala over what officials say was a violation of Belizean airspace.
The timing places Belize’s latest sovereignty concern with Guatemala in the spotlight as Briceño participates in the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Foreign Affairs Ministry CEO Oscar Arnold says Belize has gathered official information concerning the reported entry of a Guatemalan military aircraft into Belizean airspace.
That information includes locations and GPS coordinates.
Arnold said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will now send a strong protest note to Guatemala through official channels.
Belize will also demand an explanation for the incident.
According to Arnold, the Government waited for information from the Ministry of National Defence before reaching its position on what occurred.
He said Belize can now present Guatemala with the evidence gathered and state that its airspace was violated.
Guatemala’s Ministry of National Defence previously said its military activities are conducted in accordance with national and international law.
Its statement, however, did not directly confirm or deny that the aircraft entered Belizean airspace.
Briceño’s UN address comes as Belize continues to navigate its sensitive relationship with Guatemala while their longstanding territorial, insular and maritime dispute remains before the International Court of Justice.
