Belize Still Awaiting ICJ Oral Hearing Date in Guatemala Claim

Belize continues to await a date for oral hearings in the case concerning Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime claim before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The written phase of the proceedings has already been completed, but the Court has not indicated when the two countries will be called to The Hague to present their arguments. Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oscar Arnold, says the case has taken longer than initially anticipated.

Oscar Arnold, CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “Because of the world we live in now, there’s been some delays at the ICJ. The court has been asked to rule on some other pressing issues where there’s been a bit of conflict in different areas, and so that has delayed the process somewhat. The timeframe we’re looking at is that hopefully by the last quarter of 2027 that we should have a decision passed down by the court.”

The dispute was formally placed before the ICJ in June 2019, following successful referendums in both countries. Guatemala submitted its Memorial in December 2020, while Belize filed its Counter-Memorial in June 2022. Guatemala later delivered its Reply, followed by Belize’s Rejoinder in June 2023, completing the exchange of written arguments. The Court must ultimately determine Guatemala’s claim to Belizean continental and island territory and the maritime areas arising from that claim. The most recent development published on the ICJ’s official case page remains an order dated June 24, 2022, which established the deadlines for Guatemala’s Reply and Belize’s Rejoinder. Although both documents have since been submitted, a date or timeline for the oral hearings has not been posted. Belize’s Office of the Agent says the country is now awaiting formal notice from the Court on when those hearings will take place.