CARICOM cautions Guatemala; Reaffirms unwavering support for sovereignty, territorial integrity, security of Belize.
CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana
Tuesday, 16 September 2025:
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has called on Guatemala to desist from illegally entering the territory of Belize or engaging in aggressive actions capable of raising tensions between both countries and escalating into military conflict.
This call was made in a statement by the CARICOM Secretariat, which said it had “been informed by the Government of Belize that on several occasions during the period 10-13 September 2025, elements of the Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) entered Belizean territory in the Sarstoon River which borders the two countries.”
According to the statement, “the GAF members illegally hoisted a Guatemalan flag on Belizean territory, attempted to ram a Belizean military vessel, and harassed and obstructed Belizeans from freely and peacefully navigating the Sarstoon River. These incursions and actions flagrantly violated Belize’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“On each occasion, Belizean military officers firmly asserted Belize’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and legal position, but acted with restraint and professionalism to prevent these aggressive and provocative actions by GAF officers from escalating.”
Insisting that nothing must be done to endanger the safety of persons who use the Sarstoon River, CARICOM urged Belize and Guatemala “to refrain from any action which may exacerbate the dispute while Guatemala’s Claim is before the International Court of Justice, and reiterates its call for both countries to urgently fulfil their commitment to design an effective mechanism of cooperation for the Sarstoon River and maritime spaces, with the assistance of the Organisation of American States (OAS).”
CARICOM also reminded the two countries and all the states of the Region of their commitment “to maintain the Caribbean region as a Zone of Peace,” while reaffirming “its unwavering support for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of Belize.”
