As we told you at the top of the newscast, Belize's Diplomats are in kind of an uneasy position at the OAS General Assembly in Antigua Guatemala – after Belizean Security forces shot a Guatemalan civilian in the Chiquibul Forest the day before the meeting started, That has created some tension, but really, much of it is lost within the wider picture fo the General Assembly which is a like a tremendous machine with literally dozens of discussions, dialogues, conversations, conferences, side meetings, and bi-lateral meetings. Jules Vasquez is there and he drilled down to find out what's really at the top of the agenda.
Jules Vasquez reporting
The historic city of Antigua, Guatemala is the setting for the 43rd General Assembly of the OAS.
There are over a thousand delegates from 35 countries here in this ancient city ringed in by mountains, but this morning at dawn it was business as usual in one of the oldest cities in the Americas.
The Assembly didn't make the headlines, but it was plastered on every lamp-post.
Most of the business happens here at the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo in the Salon Mayor, a massive room where hundreds gather for various meetings all throughout the day, this one with civil society leaders.
The main issue under discussion this year this year is re-thinking the approach to drug trafficking in the hemisphere.
H.E. Fred Martinez - Belize Ambassador to Guatemala
"Yes it is historic because for the first time they will be discussing so many different issues and related to the drug problem there are certain countries for example Uruguay that has already decriminalized the use of Marijuana in small quantities. In United States for example there are two states within the US where the consumption of Marijuana is legal so really what we're going to do is start the whole process of looking at the problem on a holistic kind of way and not just from one angle."
It's a tricky, possibly divisive issue and Belize is playing it safe:
H.E. Fred Martinez
"I don't think there is any specific stance we are taking, we are here to listen, we are here to also put in our piece saying that a lot of these problems arise because of the lack of opportunities."
The opening is this evening; will Guatemala air the offensive video depicting Belize annexed into their territory?
H.E. Fred Martinez
"I'm not concerned at the moment, we're weary in the sense we're watching but we have been given all assurances by the Guatemalan authorities both to us and the to the OAS and to the OAS member states that this will not happen and so far they have kept to their promise and we do not speculate that something of this nature will occur. I think it will be a total embarrassment for them should it occur as they themselves mentioned it would be diplomatic suicide if they do anything that will offend Belize in front of their member states."
We should note that our team has been on the lookout and has not seen in any of the literature, visuals or meetings any offensive flag depicting Belize as a part of Guatemala. Of course, they're still there and remain on the lookout.
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