Rodrigo Vielmann, Guatemalan Former Vice-Minister Foreign Affairs (CANAL ANTIGUA)
“Guatemala, the claimant, has submitted an eight-volume claim-a remarkable and historic legal undertaking. And it claims continental, insular, and maritime territory. And the entire documented legal and historical argument is made as to why all of this territory belongs to Guatemala.”
“Our claim essentially covers everything south of the Sibun River, which amounts to 50% of Belize’s territory. We claim the entirety of the insular territory as well, on the basis that the Belizean population-or the British settlements-never historically held title over the entire insular territory, what we know today as the cayes of Belize, including all the way to the north. And all the maritime territory extending from the coast, based on how maritime boundaries are defined. That is the full scope of Guatemala’s claim. Of course, Belize has responded to the claim, presenting its own arguments that it’s had possession – that historically – that they received it, and with all their own legal reasoning.”
“So then, the procedure before the Court involves the memorial, the counter-memorial, Guatemala’s reply, and Belize’s rejoinder. These four phases of written submissions have already been concluded, and any moment now we are awaiting the announcement from the International Court of Justice for a date for what is known as the oral arguments phase.”
“We would face a major domestic political challenge. That territory would become a new department. It will be added to Peten; it will be added to Izabal.
How are we going to deploy state security, provide healthcare, education, a land records system? How many municipalities? The nationality of the current residents of these areas will have to be immediately recognized as Guatemalan. Private ownership of lands currently held by Belizeans or foreigners who chose to invest under Belize’s legal framework would be revoked.”
“In other words, it’s an enormous challenge before us, and unfortunately, I must say, and I share this with the audience, I don’t see any kind of strategic preparation for this – to be prepared for the results and effects of this ruling.”
“Even to say, well, territorial sea, where is the forecast today for the capacity of our navy to navigate and protect this new territory we will have? Where is the strategic vision of the entire cabinet addressing this issue?”
That interview was given yesterday.
