Guatemalans harden stance in wake of border shooting

It has dominated the headlines of both countries’ national press: the fatal shooting of a Guatemalan civilian by Belizean troops, subsequent tension on the jungle covered border, tough words from the Guatemalan Foreign Ministry and rebuttal from Belmopan. What does it all mean? Like much of the diplomatic history of Belize and Guatemala, there appears to be plenty of smoke but precious little fire. The latest turmoil began on January twenty-fifth when a BDF patrol south of the Caracol Maya site said it was fired on by a group of armed men. The soldiers, who were in Belizean territory, returned fire, killing a Guatemalan civilian. The Guatemalans are claiming that the shooting was unprovoked and occurred on the Guatemalan side of the border. The Guatemalan government, for its own political reasons, has naturally supported that line and as a result Deputy Foreign Minister Rafael Salazar, speaking to the Guatemalan press this week, appeared to enlarge Guatemala’s claim from what was allegedly half of Belize to the entire country. Is this a fundamental change? Having spoken to Guatemalan officials, including Salazar, at last month’s inauguration of President Alfonso Portillo, News Five’s Stewart Krohn reports that while the tone of the official statements has become less cordial, the substence has changed not at all from that of the Arzu Regime. That is: as far as Guatemala is concerned, the dispute is a legal battle over territory and should be submitted to arbitration for a solution. Belize’s position remains unchanged; that Belize’s territory and sovereignty are not up for negotiation. What recent developments have affected is the feeling of hope which accompanied the new president’s inauguration and the belief that he would be able to find a new framework in which to end the century and a half-old dispute. The optimism was perhaps justified when Portillo announced on January fourteenth that “Guatemala is ready to extend the hand of friendship and incorporate Belize into the brotherhood of Central American nations.” So it may be the case that Guatemala has not changed its position, but only failed to chart a new and more hopeful course. For it’s part the Prime Minister’s office issued a press release today calling Salazar’s statements “outrageous” and reiterating Belize’s rejection of territorial claims and proposals for arbitration. The release also said that Prime Minister Musa would consult with Opposition Leader Dean Barrow to establish a national consultative mechanism to support the government’s initiative. Meanwhile sources in Guatemala told News Five that Guatemalan anti-narcotic forces made a raid on Guatemalan territory near the border which resulted in the destruction of a large quantity of marijuana. It is believed that a significant Guatemalan military presence will remain near the border to continue drug eradication operations.