7 News Belize

What if Belize Claimed Guatemala?
posted (April 16, 2018)
And, finally from Guatemala City tonight we have a different perspective on the vote. We asked Guatemalan voters, "what if?" As in, "What if Belize was claiming half your country? And some faraway court would decide whether they were entitled to it?"

We got some interesting reactions, including some sudden about-turns:...

Daniel Ortiz - Reporter
"Let's say for example, you grew up with a different history, let us change history just for a little bit. Belize is claiming Guatemala as its territory. As a Guatemalan, how would you feel about that?"

Edgar Dionicio - Guatemalan National/Referendum Official
"I guess that if you put it as if they are claiming us, I guess that is kind of threatening. I guess people can feel uncomfortable about it but I would have to know more about the country and I would have to say, well what are we gaining, what are we getting and what is going to be our stand as part of this country if they are claiming us or if we are joining them. If you put it as 'claiming', I guess that doesn't look that good but I feel like we both can get a lot from each other."

Daniel Ortiz
"But sir, while the Guatemalan people seem to be very reasonable about this, that is kind of what the situation is. Your country is claiming Belize. So, would you disagree with Belizeans if they felt a bit concerned or threatened by that position?"

Edgar Dionicio
"No, I am going to rescind that position. I guess if you put it as 'claiming' it does feel kind of threatening. I can see where you people are coming from. I was wondering a lot, that is why I was asking you a lot of questions about how are people seeing this from your perspective because I believe that there are two pieces of a coin, there are two different countries playing here and I was wondering the entire time: What is Belize thinking about this?"

Interviewee 1
"How would I react to that? Well, that is a big deal. That is like changing it big time because that is almost like saying, hey, that is mine and, you know, why do you guys have it? And, yes, that is really controversial right there."

Daniel Ortiz
"Let us say, for example, that Belizeans are upset about this, would you agree with them given that if the opposite were the case, you would be upset; right?"

Interviewee 1
"Yes, I would understand why it would get the Belizean people angry. Especially if you know that they have been using the land and living on it and it is a part of Belize right now. And definitely, that is like if it is yours and now you feel as if somebody else is just taking it from you. That would be upsetting and I think it is going to cause a little bit of friction on that one. But the best thing would be for them to work something out to split instead of giving me the whole piece, just split it and make it in a peaceful way for both countries to win, not just something that causes trouble but to make it a win-win situation."

Interviewee 2
"I lived in Belize for a while and sometimes when they knew that I was Guatemalan they started to talk about...I think if Belize was claiming some part of our country, I think I would get more information and see why that is so and see the history and everything. But for some people that are not willing to get and they are like, no that is our country and we don't want that, I would go to the referendum and vote for 'no'."

Daniel Ortiz - Reporter
"In this different history, Belize is the one that is claiming your country as part of its territory. How would you feel about that particular issue?"

Interviewee 3
"Scared!" [laughs]

Home | Archives | Downloads/Podcasts | Advertise | Contact Us

7 News Belize