Guatemala Requests ICJ Intervention in Belize-Honduras Dispute Over Sapodilla Cayes

Guatemala is asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to approve an intervention in the matter between Belize and Honduras, over the Sapodilla Cayes.  Presently, there is a matter before the court whereby Belize is looking to retain its sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes which the Republic of Honduras has laid claim over.  Guatemala made the request on December 1, saying that they see the need to intervene since the portion of Belize’s territory that Honduras is claiming, overlaps with their territorial claim over Belize.  According to Guatemala, any decision made over the Sapodilla Cayes, will hamper the Belize/Guatemala territorial differendum, presently before the ICJ.  In its application, Guatemala explained to the court that the request to intervene is to protect the rights and interests of Guatemala over the Sapodilla Cays by all the legal means available, including that established by Article 62 of the Statute of the Court; and to inform the Court of the nature and extent of Guatemala’s rights, which may be affected by the Court’s decision on the issue of sovereignty over the Sapodillas. Belize had initiated proceedings at the ICJ on November 16, 2022, against Honduras.  The Sapodilla Cayes is a group of cayes lying in the Gulf of Honduras at the southern tip of the Belize Barrier Reef.