Guatemala deploys 3,000 troops to disputed border with Belize

[WhiteTara]

Source: AFP

Guatemala City (AFP) - Guatemala has deployed 3,000 troops to its disputed border with Belize following a shooting incident that killed a Guatemalan teen, Defense Minister Williams Mansilla said Friday.

"It is a preventive measure, it is not a declaration of war," Mansilla told AFP by telephone from northern Guatemala, where he was overseeing the deployment.

The United States expressed concerned over the sudden spike in tensions between the two Central American nations.

The State Department issued a statement to "urge calm and restraint by both sides."

Guatemala has made claims over more than half of Belize's territory dating back 150 years to when its small neighbor was a British colony known as British Honduras.

Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/guatemala-deploys-3-000-troops-disputed-border-belize-164649727.html?nhp=1

[left-of-center2012]

1. Reminds me of Germany and Poland

Before my time, but:
Nazi Germany invaded Poland in the 1930s due to 'claims of Polish aggression' against bigger Germany;
when Germany actually wanted to expand into Polish territory.

[WhiteTara]

2. I hope war doesn't break out between the two

countries. This has been the peaceful part of central America.

[No Vested Interest]

3. I had no idea Guatemala had 3000 troops.

I prefer Costa Rica's military stance: no army.

[left-of-center2012]

4. "I had no idea Guatemala had 3000 troops"

Surfing Google earlier today I saw Guatemala has a combined military of around 15,500. They've been getting criticized for using them as a 'police force' against their citizens.

[No Vested Interest]

5. Perhaps Guatemala's military is a"make-work" effort,

keeping the young'uns occupied so that they don't revolt or some such craziness.
Not a bad idea, really.

[left-of-center2012]

6. With their history, I'd suspect more sinister motives

There's been a three decade long ban on U.S. military assistance to Guatemala, due to human rights violations by the military.

"Attacks and threats against human rights defenders are common, significantly hampering human rights work in the country. Acts of violence and intimidation against trade unionists endanger freedom of assembly and association and the right to organize and bargain collectively.
Journalists, especially those covering corruption and drug trafficking, also face threats, attacks, and legal intimidation."

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2015/country-chapters/guatemala