ICJ sets 2027 hearing dates for Belize disputes with Guatemala, Honduras
Key Points(5)
- Belize Prime Minister John Briceño says the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has set dates in early 2027 for oral hearings in the country’s territorial disputes involving Guatemala and Honduras.
- In a nationwide radio and television address, Briceño said the ICJ registrar informed Belize that oral hearings in the case with Guatemala will take place from February 22 to 26 at The Hague.
- Oral hearings in the separate Belize-Honduras case concerning sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes are scheduled to begin March 5, 2027.
- “For too long our borders have been disputed by our neighbors,” Briceño said.
- “In keeping with our commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the rule of law, we have had recourse to the court.” Guatemala has long claimed more than 11,000 square kilometers of Belizean territory, including land, islands and maritime areas.
Belize Prime Minister John Briceño says the International Court of Justice (ICJ) has set dates in early 2027 for oral hearings in the country’s territorial disputes involving Guatemala and Honduras.
In a nationwide radio and television address, Briceño said the ICJ registrar informed Belize that oral hearings in the case with Guatemala will take place from February 22 to 26 at The Hague.
Oral hearings in the separate Belize-Honduras case concerning sovereignty over the Sapodilla Cayes are scheduled to begin March 5, 2027.
“For too long our borders have been disputed by our neighbors,” Briceño said. “In keeping with our commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes and respect for the rule of law, we have had recourse to the court.”
Guatemala has long claimed more than 11,000 square kilometers of Belizean territory, including land, islands and maritime areas. The dispute is now before the ICJ for resolution.
Belize and Guatemala resumed discussions over the territorial dispute with assistance from the Organization of American States in 2000. The two countries subsequently signed a series of confidence-building agreements, including measures establishing an “Adjacency Line” and a one-kilometer “Adjacency Zone” on either side.
Briceño said Belize’s legal team has worked with several stakeholders in preparing its case, including Ambassadors Assad Shoman and Alexis Rosado, the country’s co-agents before the ICJ, as well as former government ministers Eamon Courtenay and Michael Peyrefitte.
With the written pleadings completed, he said the team will now focus on preparing for the oral hearings.
“I am confident that Team Belize will be fully prepared to present the strongest case as we seek legal confirmation that from the moment of our independence, we have been and remain sovereign over all our territory, land, islands, and sea,” Briceño said.
The prime minister also reaffirmed Belize’s commitment to accepting the court’s eventual decisions and working with Guatemala and Honduras to implement them.
The announcement comes amid renewed tensions between Belize and Guatemala following an incident near Sarstoon Island last week.
Belize’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Guatemalan ambassador after lodging what it described as its “strongest protest” over the incident, in which Belize said a significant deployment of Guatemalan military and civilian vessels obstructed Belizean nationals from completing their customary passage around the island.
Foreign Affairs Ministry CEO Oscar Arnold said the government was particularly concerned about what it viewed as increased activity in the area and the involvement of civilians.
“We delivered the protest note in very strong language to them,” Arnold said, adding that both governments remained committed to seeking a peaceful resolution.
Belize has also notified CARICOM, the Commonwealth and other international partners about the incident.
Organization of American States Secretary-General Albert Ramdin said last week that he was “not completely surprised” by the latest tensions, noting the sensitivity surrounding the territorial dispute.
Briceño, meanwhile, called for continued international support as Belize enters what he described as the final phase of the ICJ process.
“We expect that our neighbors will proceed in peace and mutual respect and in keeping with the Charter of the United Nations,” he said.
