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Though the original agreement was signed 8 years ago, this is the very first time that the Senate will officially consent to it, thus making it valid and binding in Belize. So, this is the final step in cementing this course of action to resolve the claim, and the door is almost closed on those who are opposed to going the route of a referendum on the ICJ. Elrington explained:

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"What part of the ICJ agreement is being ratified by the senate when they next meet?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Okay, basically the special agreement which we signed in 2008 and the protocol to that special agreement which we signed later on, I think it was in 2015. The intention really is to go through all the formalities and that is part of the formality to access the ICJ. For us to be able to go to the ICJ we had to pass the special agreement which will allow us to go to the ICJ subject to the consent to our people given referendum."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"Is this the first ratification of the agreement that will go to the senate?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"First ratification of both agreements, yes. The amended agreement now concludes it and so we are completing the process, so that there can be no doubt that what we are doing is constitutional right and proper. But the signing of the special agreement is a requirement under section 36 of the ICJ statute. You cannot go to the ICJ if you had not sign up to the mandatory jurisdiction. You cannot go unless you enter into special agreement and unless you have your referendum."

Daniel Ortiz, 7News
"There are still those Belizeans who still take the view which we all must respect that going to the referendum is a mistake. By the ratification of this agreement by the senate come next week, are we effectively closing the door to saying we will not consider going to referendum?"

Hon. Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Once we ratify the special agreement, once we amend the referendum act, the way is clear now for us to set a date to hold the referendum and because this matter is of such importance to us to our existence as a sovereign independent nation, the contemplation by all is that we will proceed to hold the referendum at the quickest time. So that it will be a decision of all the Belizean people, not only those who call in at the talk shows and who go on social media, all Belizeans will have an obligation, given an opportunity to go on the date of the referendum and cast their vote. So that at the end of the day whatever decision is taken, it can be said it was decision of the people of Belize given freely. Guatemala is claiming large parts of the country. It's a claim that has haunted us for over 100 years. It has retarded our progress and it has put in jeopardy our civilians as well as our military people. It's a cloud that's in fact retarding our development. We need to try to resolve it once and for all."

As we reported, the Guatemalan Congress approved the amendment to the Special Agreement 8 days ago.