Sedi Says Friction With Guatemala at Sarstoon is Grave Infraction of Rights

With the constant disruption of what ought to be the free flow of civilian traffic upriver, notwithstanding the area being under dispute, doesn’t it require the intervention of the I.C.J. since both countries have agreed to have the matter adjudicated before it?

Isani Cayetano

“This issue, however, has been persistent for a number of years, in terms of the Guatemalan Armed Forces seeking to prohibit Belizean civilians and even members of the military forces from traversing that area.  Doesn’t that constitute something grave on our end, the prohibition of free movement in that area?”

Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Wilfred ‘Sedi’ Elrington

“Clearly any interference by Guatemala or any other foreign power with our citizens in territory which we claim to be ours is a grave infraction of our rights.  But it was my sense that like the situation that use to occur along the western border, the situation at the Sarstoon was something of more recent vintage.  It started, in my view, maybe four or five years ago.  I don’t think before that we had it cropping up like it is now, you know.”