By: Staff Writer
September 19, 2025
The Guatemala and Belize border dispute took a new turn with the reported incursion at the Sarstoon River during September 10 to September 13.
The Belizean government has rejected the account of the events from the Guatemalan government that they were only hoisting a flag on their side of the river.
However, on Tuesday, Guatemala’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement in which it expressed “deep regret” over the alleged incursions, claiming that units of the Belize Defence Force (BDF) entered Guatemalan territory via the Sarstoon River on September 10, 12, and 13 without authorisation.
According to the Government of Belize, between September 10 and 13, 2025, members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) illegally entered Belizean territory, hoisted a Guatemalan flag on Belizean soil, attempted to ram a Belizean military vessel, and obstructed Belizeans from freely navigating the river. The Sarstoon, which forms part of the border between the two countries, has long been a point of contention.
The Belize/Guatemala territorial dispute has been ongoing for nearly two centuries. The conflict centres around Guatemala’s claim to more than half of Belize’s territory, based on historical treaties and agreements. Both countries have agreed to resolve the dispute through the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Following national referendums in both countries, the case was officially submitted to the ICJ in 2019. Guatemala submitted its brief in 2020, and Belize submitted its counter-memorial in 2022.
During a recent speech, President of Guatemala, Bernardo Arevalo said, “I would like to reaffirm the commitment of Guatemala to permanently and in a lasting manner resolve before the International Court of Justice the insular, maritime, and territorial dispute with the brotherly country, a neighbourly country of Belize.”
He said, “By opting for dialogue and the international legal mechanism, we have demonstrated that peaceful means and respect for multilateral institutions are the most effective way to resolve disputes between countries. We are confident that this process will make it possible to bring about a just and balanced institution that respects the rights and dignity of both countries.”
And that “this act is an act of faith, of our faith in international law and our commitment to lasting peace, not only for Guatemala and Belize, but also as an example for the region and for the world.”
The Government of Belize will be lodging a formal protest at the highest level against this violation of its territorial sovereignty and the aggressive actions that accompanied it.
The Government of Belize reaffirms its unwavering commitment to defend its territorial integrity and ensure that all actions taken by its security forces are guided by respect for the rule of law and the protection of Belize’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Belize-Guatemala border conflict is a long-standing territorial dispute rooted in colonial history, where Guatemala claims sovereignty over substantial Belizean territory and maritime areas. The dispute has been referred to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by both nations for a definitive legal resolution, but it remains a sensitive political issue. The Organization of American States (OAS) plays a role in monitoring the border and fostering confidence-building measures to prevent conflict.