Group of Friends of Guatemala and Belize meets in Adjacency Zone

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The Group of Friends of Guatemala and Belize met on September 1 at the Organization of American States office in the Adjacency Zone.

OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin chaired the meeting, attended by Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca and his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martinez Alvarado.

Italy was represented by Permanent Observer Roberto Nocella.

The two countries have referred their territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice by mutual agreement. In the meantime, the OAS maintains a permanent presence in the Adjacency Zone to promote confidence building measures between the two states and their militaries, investigate potential incidents, and run vocational training for local residents.

On the social side, courses for civil society are held at the Ta’Amay centres, a Mayan term meaning tree that grows straight. The centres promote a culture of peace, coexistence, women’s empowerment and new job opportunities.

According to OAS sources, more than 2,000 people have benefited since 2022. The Santa Cruz centre was established with Italian support.

Nocella visited all four centres, at Santa Cruz, Benque Viejo, Melchor de Mencos and El Arenal, ahead of the meeting.

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