International Court of Justice

Throughout September, Belizeans witnessed another flare-up in tensions surrounding the Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute. Guatemala continues to assert a claim over half of Belize’s landmass, all of its islands (Cayes), and the maritime territory extending from the coast. The latest incidents with the Guatemalan Armed Forces at the Sarstoon River in southern Belize prompted strong protests from the Government of Belize. In response, Guatemala reaffirmed its sovereignty claim over the entire river. Experts further explained that Guatemala’s position extends to all of Belize’s Cayes. Guatemalan officials also discussed possible scenarios in the event that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) rules in their favor.

Cabinet, at its meeting on August 26th, supported a proposal for the Social Security Board to gain direct access to the Central Bank’s payment system to reduce high bank charges. It also noted the U.S. decision to suspend duty-free exemptions for low-value shipments, leading the Belize Postal Service to suspend certain packages to the U.S. effective August 27th. Updates were provided on Belize’s role in the ICJ climate change opinion, progress on the Green Belize reforestation project, rural electrification plans, and the launch of September Celebrations under the theme “Belize @44: Stronger Together, Rising Forever.

The Sapodilla Cayes Marine Reserve, located in southern Belize, is a chain of 14 islands off the coast of the Toledo District, currently co-managed by the Toledo Institute for Development and Environment (TIDE). TIDE conducts routine patrols alongside the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) to protect the area from illegal fishing and other illicit activities. However, enforcement efforts are met with significant challenges, including transboundary issues stemming from the reserve’s proximity to Guatemala and Honduras.

For the first time in his political career, the Honorable Francis Fonseca addressed the General Debate of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly on Saturday, September 28th, as Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. In his 21-minute speech, Fonseca discussed several topics, including advocating for climate justice and Belize’s ties with other economies like the United States. However, many in Belize were waiting for Fonseca to address the ongoing issues at the Sarstoon River with the Guatemalan Navy. Instead, he referred to Guatemala’s president Bernardo Arevalo's statement on settling the territorial dispute with Belize at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) without highlighting the daily struggles at the southernmost border with that country.

On Saturday, September 7th, a group of vessels, including a large gunboat from the Guatemalan Navy, was seen in southern Belizean waters. The Belize Defence Force (BDF) and the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) approached the Guatemalan military boat. The Guatemalan forces initially claimed they were in their territorial waters, but after some discussion, they complied with Belizean authorities, and the vessels returned to Guatemalan waters.

Honorable Francis Fonseca is now the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, adding to his Ministries of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology portfolio....

The Government of Belize is deeply concerned about recently announced decisions by the Government of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela by which it purports to exercise rights of administrative sovereignty over the Essequibo region, an integral part of the territory of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) elected five new judges on November 9th after a round of votes held by the General Assembly and the Security Council of the United Nations (UN). The voting is via secret ballot. The Government of Belize paid keen attention to the judges elected as the territorial claim by Guatemala over the Jewel will be settled at the ICJ, with the case's first oral hearings expected for the summer of 2024.