Last night, we showed you the latest showdown between the Belizeans who went to the Sarstoon River, and the Guatemalan Military which attempted to intercept them and prevent them from traveling through the Belizean side of the river.
As viewers aware, the Guatemala Military has been attempting to enforce control of the entire river since 2015. Their aggressive behavior has been condemned by multiple Belizean organizations, and today, another such group is voicing public outrage. It's called the Belize People's Front, and this organization says that Nancy Marin is their Party Leader.
The press release says, quote, "Our lack of assertive diplomacy in the Sarstoon, the incursion in the Chiquibul, the Special Agreement, the Confidence Building Measures, have all but weakened our position internationally as it relates to the Guatemalan Claim" End quote.
Nancy Marin then says in the press release, quote, "I want to place our Belizean Flag there. I intend to go and do this myself. I will be sending an official letter of my intentions to the Ministry of Foreign affairs and to the Ministry of Defence. I am hoping they will have the decency to reply but reply or not, I plan on walking on Belize's Sarstoon Island before the end of this month." End quote.
Well, Nancy Marin and the People's Front will have to be prepared for the same aggressive behavior that the Belizeans encountered yesterday.
Here's a second perspective from another visitor who went the river yesterday with the Belize Territorial Volunteers.
Consuelo Muschamp
"It's a really nice experience, but when I got closer to the island, I started getting nervous because the Guatemalan soldiers coming in our waters, which make us feel threatened."
Wil Maheia
"What message do you have for the Government of Belize?"
Consuelo Muschamp
"I have for the Government of Belize, I mean, we appreciate the BDF guys for being there for us, but come on. This is for us. Why do we have to be intimidated by anyone, in our own country. It's not fair."
About yesterday's incident, a release from the Ministry of National security yesterday says, quote, "The Ministry notes that the Guatemalan military seemed to have been aware that Will Maheia was visiting the area and had boosted their resources in order to deliberately block his entrance. This incident has been reported to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a strong protest is being lodged to condemn the actions of the GAF." End quote.
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