Part Two of Recent Military Standoff at the Sarstoon

On Thursday, we aired the first of a two-part series of amateur footage provided exclusively to News Five showing what transpired on the Sarstoon River between the BDF and the Guatemalan military.  The confrontation was the most recent between the two armed forces, taking place on March twelfth when a detail of BDF soldiers arrived at the site where the forward operating base was being constructed. During the standoff a Guatemalan vessel is seen crossing the Sarstoon River into Belizean waters and the commander is also observed referring to a set of protocols.  News Five’s Isani Cayetano has part two of that story.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The March twelfth face-off between the Belize Defense Force and the Guatemalan Armed Forces, at the mouth of the Sarstoon River, is a clear indication of the bold as brass approach that is being employed at the southern border.  The incident unfolded just moments after a group of ten, including nine BDF soldiers and a police officer, disembarked on our bank of the river.  A Guatemalan vessel carrying nine well-equipped men from the other end of the waterway, crosses the channel and enters Belizean territory.  Words are spoken.

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The Guatemalan soldier in command of the watercraft is clearly seen communicating with someone by phone, presumably receiving orders from a superior.  Certainly, there is some confusion among members of the BDF.

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The BDF soldier in charge of the detail clearly has little or no control over the police officer accompanying the military men.  Throughout the entire confrontation, the unnamed officer is being asked to acquit himself professionally.  He continue an unchecked tirade.

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Isani Cayetano reporting for News Five.