Borders Will Mitigate Chiquibul, Sarstoon Issues

Elrington concedes that even if the dispute is settled in the I.C.J., Belize and Guatemala will continue to have issues with border incursions. The difference, he said, will be the established boundaries which must be respected.

Wilfred Elrington

Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

“Historically, there have always been cases of migration taking place and countries trying to keep others out. That has always been the case, so even after we have resolved the dispute with Guatemala, we will still be faced with that issue. But the good thing is that once we have it resolved, we will then know clearly and have the world acknowledge where our boundaries are. We will be able to clear it out and properly mark it so the world can see it. And f and when there are any disputes and problems, and we have to go to the international community for assistance, they can see yes, this is Belize’s defined territory; and yes, these people are infringing this territory, and therefore we need to assist Belize in its efforts to regularize the situation.”