Caricom: Belize, Guyana should take border disputes to ICJ

GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Leaders of a Caribbean trade bloc have said they support Belize and Guyana taking their separate decades-old border disputes to the International Court of Justice.

The Caribbean Community said in a statement late Thursday that final resolutions are needed for stability in the region.

Belize Foreign Minister Wilfred Erlington told The Associated Press at a Caricom summit in Guyana that he supports taking the matter to the International Court. He noted that both Belize and neighbouring Guatemala first have to hold referendums for that to happen, and that it will take time because both countries have to amend laws to take that step.

The territorial dispute between the two countries is more than 150 years old. Guatemala recognized Belize’s independence from Britain in 1991, but still claims parts of the territory as its own.

Meanwhile, Guyana’s neighbour, Venezuela has long claimed 40 per cent of a territory in Guyana that is rich with gold, diamonds, timber and other resources. Guyana has already asked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to refer the matter to the court before leaving office.