Belize-Guatemala territorial dispute and its implications for conservation.

Belize; Guatemala

Organization of American States ; International Court of Justice

Guatemala has claimed Belizean territory for 150 years, ever since the colonial era. While several attempts have been made to settle this dispute, with no final resolution, several problems both on the land and sea still exist, including illegal settlements, illegal logging, illegal hunting, illegal fishing, illegal harvesting of forest products, illegal farming, illegal land subdivisions, loss of property and threat to human life. These problems have created conflict between the two nations along with a series of confrontations among the military forces, communities, and fishermen in the two countries. A proposal facilitated by the Organization of American States for confidence-building measures between the two countries did not succeed. Both countries now seek to finalize the settlement at the International Court of Justice. This paper introduces the issue with a summary of the history of Belize's territory and the origins of the claim, followed by a summary of the treaties and negotiations agreed to between the two countries, important elements of the Belize Maritime Act, and a discussion of the implications for conservation and efforts made to resolve this conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guatemala ha reclamado territorio de Belice por 150 años, desde la época de la colonia. Mientras algunos intentos se han realizado para arreglar esta disputa, sin solución alguna, problemas tanto en tierra como en mar aun existen, incluyendo asentamientos ilegales, la tala ilegal, la caza ilegal, la pesca ilegal, extracción ilegal de productos forestales, la agricultura ilegal, subdivisiones ilegales de tierras, la pérdida de la propiedad y la amenaza para la vida humana. Esto ha creado una serie de confrontaciones entre las fuerzas militares, comunidades y pescadores en ambos países. Una propuesta facilitada por la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA) para generar confianza entre los dos países fracasó. Ambos países ahora buscan finalizar el arreglo en la Corte Internacional de Justicia. Este documento establece el hecho conjuntamente con un resumen de la historia del territorio de Belice, los orígenes del reclamo, seguidas por un resumen de los intentos y negociaciones acordadas entre los dos países, asimismo, elementos importantes del Acto Marino de Belice referente a este asunto, y unas discusiones de sus implicaciones en la conservación y esfuerzos realizados para resolver este conflicto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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