Caribbean National Weekly

Belize files memorial in land dispute with Honduras

By CNW Contributor··1 min read
Belize files memorial in land dispute with Honduras
Key Points(5)
  • <strong>Loop News-</strong> Belize announced on Tuesday that it has met the International Court of Justice’s deadline to file a Memorial in the dispute with Honduras over the sovereignty of the Sapodilla Caye.
  • The memorial was handed over to Jean-Pelé Fomété, Deputy Registrar of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, The Netherlands today.
  • “Belize’s Memorial makes a vigorous defence of Belize’s sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes.
  • The Memorial requests the Court to adjudge and declare that, as between Belize and Honduras, Belize is sovereign over the Sapodilla Cayes and that Honduras does not have any valid claim to the Sapodilla Cayes,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
  • The ministry said Honduras has until 4 December 2023 to submit its Counter-Memorial.

Loop News- Belize announced on Tuesday that it has met the International Court of Justice’s deadline to file a Memorial in the dispute with Honduras over the sovereignty of the Sapodilla Caye.

The memorial was handed over to Jean-Pelé Fomété, Deputy Registrar of the International Court of Justice in The Hague, The Netherlands today.

“Belize’s Memorial makes a vigorous defence of Belize’s sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes. The Memorial requests the Court to adjudge and declare that, as between Belize and Honduras, Belize is sovereign over the Sapodilla Cayes and that Honduras does not have any valid claim to the Sapodilla Cayes,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry said Honduras has until 4 December 2023 to submit its Counter-Memorial.

Last November, Belize filed an application with the ICJ Registrar in a bid to resolve its long standing dispute with Honduras.

In its application, Belize recalls that, “since the early nineteenth century, the Sapodilla Cayes have formed part of the territory of Belize, initially as part of the settlement of Belize and later the colony of British Honduras, and since 1981 as part of the independent State of Belize”.

The Sapodilla Cayes, which accounts for 15,618 hectares of territory, has been a national environmental reserve in Belize since 1996.

Related Stories

Antigua PM seeks US explanation over visa restrictions

Antigua PM seeks US explanation over visa restrictions

US Coast Guard transfers 15 migrants to The Bahamas after interdiction near Miami

US Coast Guard transfers 15 migrants to The Bahamas after interdiction near Miami

Guyana opposition parties explore greater political cooperation

Guyana opposition parties explore greater political cooperation

Guyana debt burden declines as economy and job market strengthen

Guyana debt burden declines as economy and job market strengthen