Government Urges Caution Ahead of Sarstoon September Expedition

As Belize marks the September Celebrations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is once again advising Belizeans planning excursions to the Sarstoon area to exercise caution.  Groups, including the Belize Territorial Volunteers, have traditionally travelled to Sarstoon Island around the tenth of September to plant the Belizean flag as a symbolic assertion of sovereignty.  Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oscar Arnold, says the Government’s longstanding position is that citizens should avoid activities that could result in confrontation, particularly while Belize and Guatemala’s territorial, insular and maritime dispute remains before the International Court of Justice.

Oscar Arnold, CEO, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: “We know September is national celebration, not only for Belize, but for Guatemala. This is the month where people show their patriotism even more. Patriotism should be shown every day, all year. But the month of September seems to be that sweet spot where everybody there’s an uptick in the showing of patriotism. Some people show it in differing ways. But we are of the opinion that however that is done that individuals should be responsible. We don’t expect anyone to be reckless and we hope that no lives are put in jeopardy. We know and we understand and so at the ministry level, at the level of the Belize Deference Force and the Coast Guard discussions have already been made. I believe both foreign ministers spoke of this as well and the commitment is there that if there’s any small flare up to ensure that the communication lines are open, that the communication is in place to ensure that we don’t have any escalation of whatever small disturbance may take place.” 

The annual expeditions have led to several encounters with members of the Guatemalan Armed Forces.  In September 2022, Guatemalan soldiers removed Belizean flags planted on the island. The flags were later returned through diplomatic channels.  Another encounter occurred in September 2023 when Guatemalan military personnel intercepted members of the Belize Territorial Volunteers and confiscated flags they had placed on the island.  Tensions emerged again in September 2025 after Guatemalan military personnel planted their country’s flag on Sarstoon Island. The Belize Government lodged a formal protest, maintaining that the island is within Belize’s sovereign territory. Following discussions between officials of both countries, Guatemala confirmed that the flag had been removed.  Belize maintains sovereignty over Sarstoon Island and the northern half of the Sarstoon River. Guatemala’s broader claim to Belizean continental, insular and maritime territory is now before the ICJ.  The written phase of the case has been completed, and both countries are awaiting the scheduling of oral hearings.  While the Government maintains that Belizeans have the right to travel throughout Belizean territory, it continues to urge caution in the Sarstoon area to prevent civilian encounters from escalating into an international incident.