Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Francis Fonseca, is currently in Guatemala. On Monday, on their X page, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that Fonseca met with his Guatemalan counterpart, Carlos Ramiro Martinez. The post states, “Together, they agreed to advance warm neighbourly relations and continue dialogue to overcome challenges along the border.”
The Ministry adds that they also spoke about “contemporary matters of mutual interest such as security collaboration, an increase of trade, SICA, and the reactivation of the Joint Commission as a vehicle to implement the thirteen ‘Placencia Agreements’ signed in December 2014.” Nothing was mentioned about the continued Guatemalan Armed Forces’ incursion at the Sarstoon and whether or not the Government of Belize issued Guatemala a protest note, as well as the need for a Sarstoon protocol.
While in Guatemala, Fonseca also met with Kristie Canegallo, the Acting Deputy Secretary of the United States’ Department of Homeland Security. They spoke on irregular migration trends and security issues. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that Fonseca also updated her on the territorial dispute which is before the International Court of Justice. Dates are being awaited for the oral hearings.
