The Guatemalan Navy at the mouth of the Sarstoon River has reportedly aggressed a group of Belizeans - and these folks have nothing to do with Wil Maheia and the Belize Territorial Volunteers.
This group of Belizeans was on a goodwill mission to Toledo's southernmost village of Graham Creek.
This village is only accessible via the Sarstoon River or several hours of hiking through very difficult terrain. This group was taking drilling equipment to rescue to the residents of Graham Creek. They're currently facing a water crisis where their only source of drinking water is stagnant, and was causing the residents to suffer from waterborne diseases.
The group intended to go to the village and drill a fresh water well for the residents so that they could get access to potable drinking water. On Sunday morning, our colleagues from PGTV News spoke with the well driller and the American missionary funding the operation, here's what they had to say about the trip:
Abib Palma, Well Driller
"I'm going to drill a well for the community so that they can have running water to bathe and for drinking."
Reporter
"Who is sponsoring this trip?"
Abib Palma, Well Driller
"It is sponsored by a missionary group and Mr. Sellers. The contract was made for me to go in so it is a pleasure for me to go in and help the community once again to make sure they have quality water."
Reporter
"You drill wells for other communities or other people?"
Abib Palma, Well Driller
"I drill wells up to 100 feet, anyone, on farms."
Wayne Sellers, Caribbean Resources Ministries
"The center focus of our ministry is to train pastors and Sunday school teachers who don't have the opportunity to bible school."
Reporter
"You're heading to Graham Creek today, what is the purpose of that trip?"
Wayne Sellers, Caribbean Resources Ministries
"We were approached by the principle teacher of Graham Creek and told us of the plight of the people there not having a water system and the water was stagnant that they were using. It was causing some skin problems and they were getting sick from drinking the water and asked if there was any way we can help. I told them that we could get some help from some other organizations that we would partner with them. We contacted Mr. Bob who is a missionary here and also the ministry of rural development of the country of Belize. These three organizations got together and we were paid for the drilling of the well."
So, they chose to take a boat up the Sarstoon, with the American Christian missionary who was coming to Village's aid. But, as with all vessels passing through the Sarstoon, the Guatemalan Navy demanded that they check in with their authorities on the false premise is that the Sarstoon is Guatemalan, and that they need permission.
Reports are that this instance, the Guat. military personnel demanded that they go all the way to Livingston to get their documents cleared for travel up the Sarstoon River. They realized that Wayne Sellers, the American, was onboard the Belizean vessel, and those onboard suspect that the Guatemalans allowed them to pass without any difficulty because of his presence.
The dropped off the equipment, and the the American in Graham Creek, and on their way back home, they were aggressed once again. One of the men onboard tell us that the Guatemalans warned them that if they disobeyed again without going to Livingston, they will go to jail.
At this time, this boat crew is afraid to go back into the Sarstoon to go pick up the American missionary and the drilling equipment. They do not want to end up in a Guatemalan jail, and right now, it is unclear how the American will get out of Graham Creek Village, where he reportedly remains tonight. We'll keep following it.
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