Thummalapally commends OAS for work with Belize/Guatemala

And the problem of illegal communities that spring up along the Belizean side of the border has been exacerbated by the incursion of Guatemalan xateros and farmers clearing land in the Chiquibul National Park and Forest Reserve. Ambassador Thummalapally says the Organization of American States has been doing an exceptional job along the border where it is engaged in confidence building measures.

Vinai Thummalapally
“United States has supported Organization of American States’ efforts to monitor, to work with the communities of the border villages. Very recently just a couple weeks ago I was there and there was a fabulous presentation of arts and culture of the border region of how OAS is bringing Belizean and Guatemalan children together to cooperate rather than quarrel. Yes, it’s a sensitive issue. Yes there have been activities such as Guatemalans coming over the Belizean side and helping themselves to land and doing what they want to do. Those are matters that we believe are very well handled by the OAS. Both sides; both the Guatemalan side government and Belize have been party to this in terms of resolving these border difficulties, border challenges. So we wanted to shed some light on it that this is not a problem that is unimportant to America. It is absolutely important to America. The peace and prosperity of Belizeans and Guatemalans to live and to coexist and to prosper is very important to America and I believe those successes are shown by the successes of OAS.”