Guatemala and Belize expect the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to resolve their territorial dispute of more than two centuries in 2025, Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño announced on Monday, August 26, in the Guatemalan capital.
Guatemala claims about 11,030 square kilometers of territory from its neighbor, as well as hundreds of islands and islets in the Caribbean, almost half of Belize’s territory.
“Both countries opted to resolve the territorial dispute by peaceful means and signed a special agreement [en 2008] to take the case” to the ICJ, Briceño told reporters alongside Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo at the National Palace of Culture.
“Now we are in the We are awaiting the Court’s decision to set a date for the oral hearing and we expect a final ruling in 2025.”added Briceño, who concludes a three-day visit to Guatemala this Tuesday.
The dispute dates back to 1783, When Spain – which then colonized what is now Guatemala – gave those territories in concession to Great Britain to exploit wood.
Guatemala and Belize have already submitted their arguments in writing to the UN’s highest court, after neighboring nations decided in a popular vote between 2018 and 2019 to submit the case to the Court.
“It is important to note that we have both agreed to abide by the ruling and demarcate the border,” Briceño said. “A final solution will allow us to move forward with our bilateral agenda,” he added.
The conflict has caused Critical moments of tension between Guatemala and Belize, mainly due to the death of Guatemalan peasants at the hands of Belizean security forces, accused of illegally entering its territory.
“Guatemala and Belize have demonstrated their shared commitment to continue and consolidate joint work in favor of peace, security, prosperity and the economic and social development of our peoples,” said Bernardo Arévalo.
For further reading: Territorial dispute with Belize: Guatemala presents its response to the International Court of Justice
Guatemala recognized Belize’s independence in 1991, but never stopped claiming the disputed territory.
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