By Belize Live News Staff: Has Belize lost control of the Sarstoon in practice, if not in law? Prime Minister John Briceño says no.
Asked whether repeated Guatemalan interference with soldiers and civilians means Belize has effectively lost the river, the PM pushed back.
“But we have not lost the Sarstoon. We continue to stand our ground,” he said. “There are instances when these big boats are in front of us with guns. What do you want us to do? We have to face reality.”
Briceño said the real battle is being fought, and won, on the diplomatic front, and he is confident Belize will also prevail at the International Court of Justice, where hearings are set for next year.
He said government is already looking beyond the ruling.
“One of the important things is going to be that once that case is over would be the implementation. We have to ensure that Guatemala abides by the ruling,” he said, adding that Belize has been discussing this with the Americans, the UN, the EU and other partners.
The PM, who visited the Sarstoon in 2016, said he would be willing to go again.
“Of course I’d go,” he said, though not soon, depending on his schedule.
Government has reinforced the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base and is sending a formal protest to Guatemala over the latest incident.
