OAS urges calm after Belizeans blocked from Sarstoon Island

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The head of the Organization of American States is urging Belize and Guatemala to keep dialogue alive following the latest standoff at the Sarstoon River.

OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin said he regretted Thursday’s incident, during which the Belize Territorial Volunteers were prevented from completing their annual trip around Sarstoon Island because of a significant Guatemalan presence in the area.

Reports indicate that Belizean participants were escorted by members of the Belize Defence Force and Coast Guard but could only travel as far as the Forward Operating Base after multiple Guatemalan military and civilian vessels were observed in the river.

Ramdin said the confrontation did not come as a complete surprise because the OAS had anticipated increased sensitivities surrounding Belize’s Independence celebrations.

He said both Belize and Guatemala have pledged to continue talking and that he has confidence in the foreign ministers of both countries to maintain communication.

Ramdin also noted that the OAS Adjacency Zone Office does not have a mandate covering all incidents involving rivers or other areas outside the western border zone.

Despite that limitation, he said the wider organization remains interested in peace and stability between the two countries while they await a final ruling from the International Court of Justice.

Ramdin said he hopes future incidents can be handled with clarity and restraint and stressed that neither government appears interested in escalation.

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