Belize’s two major political parties are putting their differences aside on one issue: Guatemala’s recent blatant incursions.
UDP Leader Tracy Panton has thrown her support behind Prime Minister John Briceño’s call for stronger international monitoring, saying Belize must “speak with one voice” as it prepares to make its oral arguments before the International Court of Justice. The ICJ hearings on the territorial case begin in February 2027.
The political show of unity comes days after a Guatemalan military aircraft entered Belizean airspace on September 24, just days after Belize celebrated its 45th Independence Day on September 21.
Briceño raised the incident during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, describing it as part of a series of recent incursions and calling for heightened international monitoring. The PM said the incident forms part of a continuing pattern of Guatemalan vessels and personnel operating in Belizean waters on the Sarstoon River.
Briceño asked the UN and the OAS to step up monitoring so no state uses “military force or intimidation to influence judicial proceedings.” Panton affirmed that request in a statement on Saturday. She said, “At this critical juncture, as Belize prepares to make its oral arguments at the ICJ, Belize must speak with one voice in defence of our territorial integrity, national independence and the right to self determination free from intimidation or interference.”
The UDP leader also called on the government to maintain transparency and keep Belizeans informed about diplomatic developments and measures being taken to safeguard the country’s borders.
Panton also backed Briceño’s call for an immediate end to the “unconscionable sanctions” against Cuba and holding Israel accountable “for clear violations of international law, including genocide against the Palestinian people.” Belize’s foreign policy, she said, “must remain grounded in human dignity, self-determination, sovereign equality and respect for international law.”
Meanwhile, Guatemalan officials at the UN responded to Briceño’s address. Guatemala “categorically rejected” the incident, stating, “this flight never happened.” It added that Guatemala is committing to investigate the incident on their side. “We will submit all relevant reports and even the plane in question. Both states have recognised the jurisdiction of the international court of justice to put an end to this territorial, insular, and maritime dispute. Guatemala deeply regrets that Belize uses this forum to spread misinformation.”
