Program Coordinator for the Maya Leaders Alliance, Pablo Mis, has also weighed in on the ongoing issue. Despite all efforts to notify relevant authorities of any incursions, it requires a collective endeavor to tackle the problem from within. On the Phone: Pablo Mis, Program Coordinator, MLA “We, for some time now have always reported […]
Does the government support the re-internalization of the territorial dispute? The P.U.P. has made that recommendation given the current situation in the south where the Guatemalan military appears to be gaining ground. The Foreign Minister says that G.O.B. is getting support through the regional body, the Organization of American States. Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington, Minister […]
Taiwan’s Outgoing President Ma Ying Jeou is scheduled to visit the Jewel on March sixteenth and seventeenth, as part of a farewell tour of three countries, including the United States, Guatemala and Belize. The official visit by the head of state, his second since 2009, precedes the inauguration of the fourteenth president, Tsai Ing-Wen. Taiwan’s […]
Since his election as President of Taiwan in 2008, Belize has shared a cordial relationship with his administration, resulting in scholarship and economic opportunities, as well as cultural exchange programs. Those achievements are highlighted by Ambassador Ho. Benjamin Ho, Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize “The foreign policy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is always […]
This morning P.U.P. Leader John Briceño met with Prime Minister Dean Barrow at his office on Coney Drive in Belize City. It was a courtesy visit, but it comes at a time when the debate on the Sarstoon is raging. After the meeting Briceño confirmed that it did come up as a point of discussion. […]
In a release from the P.U.P. issued on Monday, there was a call for the recall for consultations of Ambassador Alexis Rosado who is based in Guatemala. Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington has scoffed at that suggestion, dismissing it as “a most ridiculous call.” Today Briceño clarified that the P.U.P. certainly did not mean cutting all […]
The Belize Progressive Party, formed last year just before general elections, continues to maintain that it is a feasible option to the two mass parties which have dominated electoral politics in Belize. The B.P.P.’s mantra since inception has been dual-pronged – a strictly anti-corruption agenda coupled with an almost militaristic nationalism where the Belize/Guatemala dispute […]
The blockage on Saturday by the Guatemalan navy of the B.T.V. expedition continues to cause public outrage because there is a growing sentiment that Belize has lost the Sarstoon. Almost one year to date after a delegation from the Belize Territorial Volunteers was detained in Guatemala overnight; Saturday’s visit organized by Wil Maheia was to […]
Visits to the various border points, particularly in the area of the Sarstoon River, according to Elrington, only serve to arouse Guatemala’s hostility. The entire issue of the impact of B.T.V.’s ongoing trips to the vicinity is a matter of perspective, says the Foreign Minister. He tells the media that his constituents are equally as […]
The first anniversary of an expedition in 2015 which ended in confrontation between the Guatemalan Navy and the Belize Territorial Volunteers to the Sarstoon Island was commemorated over the weekend. The B.T.V. lead by activist Wil Maheia organized a trip on Saturday to mark the occasion. As it did in the first trip in 2015, […]
The Government sent out a release prior to the Belize Territorial Volunteers’ anniversary expedition to Gracias A Dios. As you know now, the expedition only reached the mouth of the Sarstoon. But that wasn’t the only problem, the turnout was dismal. Other than Wil Maheia, there were only two civilians that went other than the […]
While the Belizean media observed the Guatemalan military to be well within Belizean territory, the Guatemalan press says the reverse. An article in Prensa Libre on Saturday boldly declares that “Guatemalan forces prevented an invasion by Belizeans in Livingston.” The article goes on to say that the navy as well as representatives from the Immigration […]
The People’s United Party weighed into the debate today with a very strongly worded release and position. It made reference to an assertion by Guatemala’s Foreign Minister Carlos Raul Morales to the Guatemalan media on Saturday that all of the Sarstoon belongs to Guatemala. The P.U.P. stated that it (quote) categorically rejects the specious claim […]
Footage taken on Saturday in the Sarstoon clearly shows Guatemalan military vessels way inside Belizean territorial waters. In fact, some images show one naval craft in the foreground, while the Forward Operating Base being constructed by the BDF is far in the background, making an irrefutable case for encroachment by Guatemalan military. Courtenay says this […]
Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington, in the wake of what transpired along the Sarstoon River on Saturday, has indicated that government will be lodging another protest note to Guatemalan officials in the days ahead. Elrington told the media this evening that the blockade by the Guatemalan military was to be expected since a claim over the […]
A recently published article in Prensa Libre of a written account provided by the Guatemalan foreign ministry says that the Belizean delegation was fended off peacefully. According to a translation of that article, Guatemala remains firm that the territorial dispute will be settled at the I.C.J. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs “The English […]
The Foreign Minister also responds to a call from the P.U.P. for the recall of Ambassador Alexis Rosado. Elrington scoffs at the notion calling it ridiculous. A recall, he says, would only serve to breakdown existing dialogue between both countries. He cites an existing territorial dispute in the South China Sea where several countries, including […]
A sensational video was also released over the weekend to coincide with the expedition of the Belize Territorial Volunteers to southern Belize. It presents the Guatemalan version of the historic dispute to more recent developments including the change in the terms and date of the referendum as well as landing the claim to the International […]
Almost exactly one year ago, thirty-seven Belizeans maneuvering the Sarstoon were detained by Guatemalan military, taken under tow and escorted to Livingston. In fact, this Saturday will be the anniversary of that ill-fated trip organized by the Belize Territorial Volunteers and Northern Territorial Volunteers. The B.T.V. believes that there’s no better way to mark the […]
Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington was also present at the CARICOM sessions this morning during which border relations were discussed – the Guyana/Venezuela issue and of course our own Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute. On our front, discussions have advanced to the point where referenda on going to the ICJ are being discussed and that will […]
From critical regional matters to political postings – since we had the opportunity, we asked the Foreign Minister to confirm reports of diplomatic assignments. Both Herman Longsworth and Phillip Willoughby stepped aside to make way for Tracy Taegar Panton who eventually won the Albert division. Both claimed on national television that they decided to do […]
The opening ceremony for a gathering of CARICOM heads of government in southern Belize, complete with cultural presentations showcasing the ethnic diversity of the Jewel, was held in Placencia on Monday evening. In attendance were government ministers, as well as other senior representatives from fourteen member states. While the delegates were all treated to music, […]
The opening of the CARICOM Intersessional started a few minutes ago at the Placencia Hotel. In the next two days, the heads of government of Caribbean states will be meeting in closed sessions at the Ocean Club to discuss the pressing issues affecting the region. Speaking at the ceremony was outgoing Chair of CARICOM, the […]
Twenty-eight Cubans who have been incarcerated at the Belize Central Prison are free. The order was signed today and the directive sent to Prison officials. It is expected that the twenty-eight will now join the mass movement towards the promised-land in the north. Thanks to the ‘wet foot dry foot’ legislation, as soon as they […]
We also asked Elrington about a settlement which has been discovered on the Belize side of the border with Guatemala. The revelation was made by Commander of the B.D.F. Brigadier General David Jones. Jones claims that it is a small settlement about sixteen meters inside the border near San Valentin. While Elrington had not been […]
