COPPPAL Alerts International Community to Guatemala’s Illegal Actions in Belize

In related news, the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL) has issued a formal alert regarding recent illegal actions by Guatemala against Belize. In a statement, COPPPAL’s President, Alejandro Moreno, highlighted the illegal planting of the Guatemalan flag on Sarstoon Island and the ongoing presence of Guatemalan naval forces in Belizean waters.  Moreno stated that COPPPAL has brought the territorial dispute to the attention of the International Court of Justice, with the hope of resolving the issue through dialogue and in accordance with international law. The organization conveyed its full solidarity with Belize and called on the Government of Guatemala to “fully respect Belize’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”  The COPPPAL President further urged Guatemala to withdraw its naval forces from Belizean waters. He also appealed to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary-General Albert Ramdin to use their “good offices” to facilitate a dialogue between the two nations. The goal of this proposed dialogue is to restore stability and prevent any further escalation of the situation.