Prime Minister John Briceño used his address to the 81st UN General Assembly to formally inform the international body of what he called a serious breach of international law by Guatemala, referencing the September aircraft incident over Belizean airspace.
“Belize informs this assembly of a serious breach of international law committed on the 23rd of September 2026, when a Guatemalan military aircraft entered Belize’s sovereign airspace and intentionally disabled its transponder.”
Briceño argued the incident violated multiple international frameworks. “This act violates the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation, customary norms governing state aircraft, and the inviolability of territorial sovereignty protected under Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter.”
He characterised the incident as part of a broader, ongoing pattern of Guatemalan conduct along the Sarstoon River. “This incursion is not an isolated one. It forms a part of a continuing pattern in which Guatemalan state vessels and personnel operate unlawfully in Belizean territorial waters of the Sarstoon River, which forms part of Belize’s border with Guatemala, in defiance of obligations binding on both parties to refrain from any action capable of aggravating or extending the dispute presently before the International Court of Justice.”
With hearings in the territorial case scheduled for February 2027, Briceño warned that Guatemala’s actions risk undermining the Court’s authority. “Guatemala’s conduct risks prejudicing the court’s authority and undermines the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes enshrined in Article 33 of the Charter.”
He called on Guatemala to halt all incursions immediately and comply with its international obligations. “Belize therefore calls upon Guatemala to immediately cease all incursions by air, land or sea, to comply fully with its obligations under the UN Charter, the Chicago Convention, and the OAS confidence-building measures, and to respect the integrity of the ICJ process.”
Briceño also requested increased international oversight of the situation. “Belize further requests heightened monitoring by the United Nations and the OAS to ensure that no member state uses military force or intimidation to influence judicial proceedings. We await the Court’s judgment with confidence, and we look forward to borders that are respected by all.”
