Guatemalan Foreign Minister Blasts Barrow and Talamas – Belizeans “Shameless”

Carlos Raul Morales

The report of the independent investigation has incensed Guatemala. As soon as it was released, the Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales made comments to Emisoras Unidas, a news outlet across the border.  His ire was directed at both the O.A.S. Representative and Prime Minister Barrow. Minister Morales thinks that the O.A.S.’ Magdalena Talamas is dead wrong in her statements and that Belizeans are shameless. He claims that the statement by the PM serves only to further erode relations with Belize:

Carlos Raul Morales, Foreign Minister, Guatemala [Translated]

“At this moment, we are sending a letter – a strongly worded letter – to Secretary General Almagro concerning what Miss Talamas said. And with regards to what Prime Minister Barrow said – that’s the way Belizeans are. It’s sad. They are shameless.  The truth is that the words of the Prime Minister are irresponsible. And I will tell you why they are irresponsible. He knows well that, according to the report, the bullets that killed the boy were not from the Belize Defence Force, he forgets that the bullets that killed him came from the Friends for Conservation and Development organization. That is an organization that aims at protecting the environment while patrolling with the Belize Defence Force along protected areas. In any case, he forgets that they also form part of the military patrol. I don’t know why he celebrated the fact that the bullets were not from the B.D.F., when in fact they came from this organization. Historically, Guatemala has been at a disadvantage because Belize is a small country that does things then complains. This has always been the case. It’s a constant that we experience with them during our negotiations. The truth is that the words of the Prime Minister go contrary to the confidence building measures. They deteriorate the relationship between the two countries once again. That’s the reality. I don’t know what he aspires to, but honestly, he is just causing damage. This, in addition to what the representative of the O.A.S. General Secretary has said, is causing damage of course. Our people are upset by them saying that others things are more important than the death of the boy.”