O.A.S. Issues Statement Repudiating Death of Guatemalan Minor in Chiquibul

Secretary General of the O.A.S., Luis Almagro, was sitting comfortably witnessing a Culture for Peace Program at the Adjacency Zone on Wednesday removed from what was happening at the Sarstoon where the Guatemalan Armed Forces were making their presence known immediately in front of the Forward Operating base. As far as we can tell, the O.A.S. has not verified the location where the shooting of a Guatemalan minor took place. But this morning they issued a release using strong language to “repudiate the death of a Guatemalan minor at the hands of a Belizean patrol.” But even without verification, the release confirms it will investigate the incident at the request of both governments and that, “once the investigation is concluded the report with its results will be delivered to both Foreign Ministries for the appropriate actions.” The O.A.S. adds that, “this incident reinforces the need to observe the confidence building measures in place, in order to prevent future confrontations or situations that could put at risk the peace and stability in the Adjacency Zone, as well as in the area of the Sarstoon River.” The last point made is the O.A.S. reiterates its recommendation that the two sides carry out the procedures provided for in their respective internal systems as soon as possible, to hold referenda on the decision to submit the territorial controversy to the International Court of Justice.