For people living in southern Belize, especially near the coastal border, seeing Guatemalan armed forces cross over to Belize’s side of the border without hesitation is something common. That is exactly what happened says Audrey Matura Shepherd.
AUDREY MATURA SHEPHERD
“The Guatemalan vessels came into Belizean territory, followed them throughout; that is Belizean waters that they were in; went to Gracias A Dios with them, had coffee and Johnny cakes with them which he gave them. Then he realized that he would have needed some fuel and they then took them on their vessel to some village to get fuel brought them back. You would say they socialized a bit they left coming back at all times in Belizean water. They were almost at the mouth of the river approaching to go to the mouth of the river where they locked them in then claimed that the Port Master wanted to see them, not the coast guard or whomever was in charge; the Port Master which means it is a vessel violation not a territorial violation and that has to be clear.”
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