PUP REJECTS GUATEMALAN CLAIM TO SARSTOON
On Saturday 27 February 2016, the Foreign Minister of Guatemala, Carlos Raul Morales, claimed, in Guatemalan media, that all of the Sarstoon River is Guatemalan territory. That is false and provocative. Based on reliable reports, it is clear that on the 27 February 2016 a Guatemalan military vessel entered Belizean territorial waters. This was an egregious violation of Belizean sovereignty and a breach of international law. The People’s United Party categorically rejects the specious claim by Foreign Minister Morales, and strongly condemns the provocative and illegal act by the Guatemalan Navy.
The PUP calls on the Government of Belize to immediately deliver a strongly worded Diplomatic Note to Guatemala rejecting the spurious claim by Foreign Minister Morales, and to recall our Belizean Ambassador to Guatemala for urgent consultations. We further call for an urgent ministerial meeting between Belize and Guatemala at the Organization of American States to adopt measures that reduce tensions whilst fully respecting Belize’s territorial integrity.
The PUP strongly asserts that Belize is sovereign over all its territory, as defined by the Belize Constitution, and that Belizeans have the right to travel to any and all parts of Belize. We call on the Government to exercise sovereignty over all Belizean territory, and, when required, to provide an appropriate level of protection to all Belizeans within Belize.
In commenting on the developments over the weekend, Hon John Briceño stated that: “Guatemala has embarked on a dangerous and confrontational course; we reject it. Now, more than ever, we need a bipartisan approach to what is clearly a threat to Belizean sovereignty. The PUP is ready to play a leading role in a new national effort to defend our national interests.”
On the 25 February 2016, the PUP National Executive approved the appointment of a Belize Guatemala Advisory Committee comprising: Hon. Said Musa, Chairman, Assad Shoman, Godfrey Smith, Eamon Courtenay and Lisa Shoman.
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