Posted: Friday, April 29, 2016. 12:36 p.m.
By Aaron Humes: Governor General of Belize Sir Colville Young, acting in his capacity as representative of the Head of State, has made regulations prohibiting persons and vessels, without lawful authority, from entering into Belize’s portion of the Sarstoon River with effect from today, Friday.
The move comes as the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) prepare for another trek into the river, defying Government’s appeals to stay away.
Sir Colville invoked Section 2 of the Public Safety Act, Chapter 142 of the Substantive Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2011.
The regulations are in force for one month, and in a press release the Government advises, quote, that this course of action has become necessary in order to prevent any “commotion” or “threat to public safety” that might arise in consequence of the continuing tense and dangerous standoff between Belize and Guatemala over the Sarstoon, and the tipping point that could be caused by the unregulated insertion of members of the Belizean public into this very volatile mix. End quote.
It adds, quote, During the one month period for which the restrictions are to last, it is expected that a diplomatic solution will be found to the problem, and that the solution will provide for safe passage of Belizean civilians along the Sarstoon River. End quote.
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