PM Briceño says Guatemala will Respect ICJ Ruling
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño says that he hopes to strengthen diplomatic ties with Guatemala under an Arevalo Administration. One of the key topics that PM Briceño hopes to further discuss with President Arevalo is the prolonged Sarstoon Protocol, emphasizing the urgency of collaborative efforts to prevent narco influence. As it relates to the International Court of Justice and the case between Belize and Guatemala, Briceño says Arevalo has committed to respect the ruling.
Prime Minister John Briceño
“When he was in Belize in December, we had a very long meeting, probably about two hours expressing ideas. And, he was the one that immediately said, listen, I want to build on what has been left by President Giammattei. And, he was one that brought up the ICJ and said, listen, we will respect what. Whatever ruling the ICJ has, but between now and then let’s strengthen the relationship between in commerce and trying to proceed with the trade agreement that we have, continue that negotiation to include more products, look at sports education. There’s so much going on. Look at the issue of security which is very important for both countries, especially within narcos that are becoming more and more open and in especially in Guatemala. So, there’s a lot for us to work together with. And so we look forward to be able to talk very closely with, with this government.”
Hipolito Novelo
“You mentioned security, do you expect stronger ties, especially when it comes to the Sarstoon? We know that that area there has some narco farming there. Stronger ties in terms of security along the Sarstoon?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Certainly, and he has expressed that, and even the military now has been expressing that that we need to be able to find ways how we can work closely, or closer, because we don’t want these people, these narcos, to be able to set roots in the area, both in Belize and Guatemala, because it will be extremely difficult to get them on. So, it’s important for us to work together to keep them out of this area.”
Hipolito Novelo
“The Sarstoon Protocol has been delayed over the year, do you expect that there would be any progress under an Arevalo Administration?
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well, that continues to be a frustration from our part and how we can get the Sarstoon protocol going. We hope that once President elect Arevalo is settled, that we can bring that up again. And hopefully we can have some more cooperation in trying to get the Sarstoon protocol agreed to and signed.”
Hipolito Novelo
“But you’re truly optimistic that this might happen under his administration?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“But we hope so, and we are constantly optimistic on that matter, um, but at the same time remember the ICJ process continues and hopefully sometime this year they are going to listen to the oral arguments from both parties. So we need to continue to push for the Sarstoon protocol, but at the same time continue to monitor very closely what is happening at the ICJ.”
Hipolito Novelo
“Is there any concern from the Belizean government that when that ruling is handed down by the ICJ, maybe against Venezuela, that they would not respect that ruling? We see what is happening with Venezuela and Guyana.”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Well, that’s always a concern, but what we have been doing, we’ve been loving our friends. The United States, we have been working very closely with them. And they have said that they are prepared to help us when that time comes to ensure that both countries live up to the ruling of the ICJ. We’ve spoken to the British, we’ve spoken to Mexico, to Cuba, Brazil, Canada, all the big countries have said that they are prepared to work with both countries to ensure that the ruling of the ICJ be implemented as quickly as possible.”
