Prime Minister Barrow Addresses Heightened Border Tension
There is an escalating crisis between Belize and Guatemala that is reaching tipping point. In recent days, Guatemala has adopted an aggressive stand against Belize especially in the Sarstoon where Belizean vessels are now required to get their permission to enter the Sarstoon. The death of a minor near Cebada in the Chiquibul on Wednesday has placed matters on the brink between the two countries. The Guatemalan president on Thursday announced the massing of troops in the Sarstoon and the Adjacency Zone and has recalled its Ambassador to Belize. There has been sluggish response from Belize until today. The situation is fluid and we start with a telephone recording released just before six o’clock by Prime Minister Dean Barrow who is in New York at this time for the signing of the Paris Agreement. He has met with President Morales in the margins of the conference.
Dean Barrow
Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“We are extremely concerned that the measures announced by president Morales will serve has served to escalate tension to an utterly unacceptable degree. Accordingly I have today met with president Morales in the margin of the UN Climate Change Signing Ceremony. I have indicated to President Morales that the position taken by him and the government cannot conduce the peace and that there is an immediate need to de-escalate tensions. I have confirmed that as is usual in cases of this nature, the O.A.S. will conduct an impartial investigation, inquiry into what has happened. We will also, as we have done on a previous occasion, seek the assistance of the United States, asking them to deploy a number of forensic experts to help with the reconstruction of the incident. I have made clear to the president that while we have nothing to hide and therefore are happy to insist on this inquiry, pending the result of that exercise, Belize maintains its position which is that our soldiers came under attack or fired upon and that what happened was as a consequence of their returning fire in an effort to defend themselves. While I cannot pretend that the government of Guatemala is other than insistent that their version of the events is correct and while they continue to say that in their view the B.D.F. murdered this minor, we reiterated that there cannot be that kind of a rush to judgment especially in view of our conviction that the B.D.F. was exercising its right to self-defense.”
Bring back the British.
I told you so. The consequence of poking the ants nest by agitators like Wil and others is inevitable. Now lets put Wil and his crew in the front of battle line. HE FINALLY ACHIEVED HIS GOAL.. You dont pick a fight with someone when you dont have the biggest gun. For 60 years we were living in peace with eachother. Now ….Thanks Wil.
I feel bad if the PM of Belize believes the Guatemalan President is really trying to de-escalate anything. You cant de-escalate when you continually are sending in troops to the borders. Why wasnt anyone addressing the fact that the minor’s family placed him illegally in Belize territory in the first place. I think Guatemalan is getting in position to take over Belize as its own as it has threatened to do for years. This president morales is the one who is willing to shed blood to do it. I also dont think Belize will get the backing from other countries. Erlington mentioned there is NO defense guarantee from ANY country. Not USA or England!! Look at what is happening in the Venezuela/ Guyana dispute. venezuela is taking land and sea…Sad to say but Guyana and Belize are govern by black men. Could this mean something? I dont know… Wake up Belizeans…England probably wont help!
WELL WELL WELL WE FINALLY HEAR FROM HIM!
HOW THE HECK COULD ALL THIS CRAP BEEN HAPPENING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND THE PM REMAINED MUTE UNTIL NOW?
IF OUR LEADERS DO NOT START CRYING FOUL HARD AND FAST NO ONE ELSE WILL FIGHT OUR BATTLES FOR US. IF WE SHOW THAT WE DO NOT CARE WHO THE HECK ELSE WILL?
First of all, we have to understand that the president of Guatemala has in his mind to take over almost half or some of Belize’s territory to benefit his country especially in the resources. He stated this in one of his interviews before becoming the president.. It is clearly visible that now as president he will take any little advantage even the least one to achieve his malicious goals. He is now using this minor as a target to create a scandal to achieve his goals. Our soldiers were on self defense( they were on duty especially during this tension ).We are all positive! hence we are all confident that God will win battle for us.
How many times was the 13 year old boy shot? Was it really 8 times and some in the back? How many rounds did the farmer fire and what kind of gun was he using? Probably a 16 gauge single shot shotgun. How many rounds did the BDF fire in return? There are still unanswered questions here and you just don’t kill a 13 year old boy for illegal entry. Not supporting Guatemala but we need some answers.