The Government of Belize says it will lodge a formal protest with Guatemala following an alleged encounter involving military vessels near Sarstoon Island.
According to the Belizean Government, two vessels belonging to the Guatemalan Armed Forces aggressively approached a Belize Defence Force patrol conducting routine operations around the island over the weekend.
Belize accused the Guatemalan vessels of entering its territorial waters and described the encounter as an attempt at intimidation.
The Government said the Belizean patrol acted professionally and returned safely to its base after completing the operation.
Authorities have since reinforced the Sarstoon Forward Operating Base with additional Belize Defence Force and Coast Guard vessels.
Belize also announced plans to report the incident to the Organization of American States.
The territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala dates back to the nineteenth century and remains before the International Court of Justice for a final ruling.
The Belizean Government reiterated its commitment to resolving the dispute peacefully while calling on Guatemala to respect its sovereignty.
The latest development raises renewed concerns about tensions along the border between the two neighbouring Central American and Caribbean Community countries.
