For the past 2 weeks, Sarstoon Island and Sarstoon River have dominated the headlines – and you all got to see how the Belize/Guatemala Territorial
Dispute was playing out in real time.
But, tonight, we have slightly different take for you. Sure enough, the Sarstoon issue is no joke – but the civilian-led river adventures – have also
had their share of misadventures – mainly because the territorial volunteers are figure out as they go along. And that's fine – the men and women of
the volunteers, are stout of heart and strong in spirit. But they also have to have a good sense of humour – because as the saying goes, if you don't
laugh, you'll cry. So, we've put together a parable of misadventure on the Sarstoon, partly at our expense. Enjoy – and try not to laugh too much:
Daniel Ortiz Reporting….
Protecting the sovereignty of the Sarstoon: it's a serious and powerful statement, but there have been a few misadventures in that location which
provides ample comic relief.
The first is that to avoid contact with aggressive Guatemalan Navy, the Territorial Volunteers had to hold their patriotic party on a Sandbar with
Sarstoon Island visible in the distance. It was a simply calculation for safety, but seeing 160+ persons in ankle deep water looked faintly like an
outing to the cayes for getaway.
FILE: AUGUST 18, 2015
Efrain Alpuche - Travelled to Sarstoon River Mouth
"Standing here is quite a pleasure. This is serious fun, but it's necessary to be done. It's about high time I think as Belizeans we stand together and
make a stand about our patrimony - about our natural heritage and such. So standing here is worth the while."
Then, there was the confrontation with the Guatemalan Navy – bumper boats – which seems kind of funny now, but when it was happening it led to mass
panic and softening of wills. Fraught with danger, it definitely warranted the panicked pleas for a retreat when Orlando De La Fuente was forging
forward. Now, that it happened without incident, it does make for a chuckle to listen back to persons shouting for everyone to turn back.
Then, imagine sitting in the lead boat. The Guatemalan Navy has already laid down the hardline, "Go back to where you came from". Everyone showing
bravado is acutely aware of the danger of being hurt, detained or provoking an armed confrontation. Who would forget seeing the Guatemalan boat
captain cutting off your boat every time you attempted to get away from them?
That was all in an effort to get to the Sarstoon Island, the flashpoint of the Guatemalan Territorial Claim. The Territorial Volunteers would
eventually get the opportunity to get up close to the island, and almost mischievously, they erected the Belize Flag. They also got to put a foot
on the island - which not really on the land per say. That's when it becomes clear the symbol of defiant patriotism is really a mangrove bog, and
the closest thing to planting yourself, if you want to remain dry, is on a mangrove's root.
FILE: AUGUST 25, 2015
Daniel Ortiz
"Do you accept that there was a risk of being detained when we were doing that and that while we have our own views, the Guatemalans would certainly
have arrested us?"
Wil Maheia - Leader, Belize Territorial Volunteers
"Yes, it is a very real risk. But as Belizeans we must stand strong, we must stand proud, we must stand Belizean. So while it was a risk, the risk was
well worth it."
Then, not being aware of the difficulty, we go on a chase of suspected illegal Guatemalan fishermen. It's important issue, but seriously funny,
projecting the image of a beached manatee thrashing around in soft mud:
Sure, everyone knows what's at stake, but how much does all this increased activity really means in the grand scheme of things?
FILE: AUGUST 17, 2O15
Daniel Ortiz
"Sir, while it is a great and powerful statement, there will be those who say you've accomplished everything, but you've really accomplished nothing
because when we leave from here, the Guatemalans will still be as aggressive to anyone who enter this channel and has any intentions to go in that
location. How do you respond to those people?"
Orlando De La Fuente
"Mr. Ortiz, you've heard right, because that's the tradition. That's the custom here."
And for all his shallow water troubles, Daniel Ortiz lost two cell phones to the loamy banks of the Sarstoon.
And for all his shallow water troubles, Daniel Ortiz lost two cell phones to the loamy banks of the Sarstoon.
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