Guatemala’s Application to ICJ: PM Briceno Anticipated Move in Belize’s Dispute with Honduras

Earlier this week, we told you of Guatemala’s application to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to be recognized as an interested party in Honduras’ claim over Belize’s Sapodilla Cayes.  Belize had initiated proceedings at the ICJ on November 16, 2022, against Honduras with an aim to retain sovereignty over these cayes.  Prime Minister Briceno weighed in on Guatemala’s letter, saying that it was expected to happen.

Hon. John Briceño, Prime Minister of Belize: “That’s not surprising because remember they’re saying that all of that area belongs to them and what happened is that Honduras just before Belize became independent quickly amended their constitution to include the Sapodilla Cayes in their constitution. They know they don’t have a case but they have to go through the motions and so under the treaty of Bogota that we quickly ascended to sign that has allowed us to fast track this case to go to the ICJ because Honduras is a part of the pact of Bogota and so they had to respond very quickly and we hope that very soon that that’s going to be ruled and that it is going to be very clear that Honduras has zero claim against the Sapodilla Cayes and the same thing then when the rest of the case with Guatemala is heard that it will be very clear that all of that land, all of that area belongs to the country of Belize.”

The Sapodilla Cayes is a group of cayes lying in the Gulf of Honduras at the southern tip of the Belize Barrier Reef.