The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has commenced hearings on Guatemala’s request to intervene in the ongoing sovereignty dispute between Belize and Honduras over the Sapodilla Cayes, known as Cayos Zapotillos in Spanish. The hearings, presided over by Judge Iwasawa at the Peace Palace, mark a significant development in this complex territorial conflict. Guatemala’s application, filed on December 1, 2023, under Article 62 of the ICJ Statute, seeks to protect its interests in the disputed islands, which it also claims as sovereign territory. Ana Cristina Rodríguez Pineda, Guatemala’s Agent, emphasized that the intervention aims to ensure Guatemala’s rights are not overlooked in the Court’s decision. The dispute dates back to Belize’s 2022 filing under the Pact of Bogotá, which sought to resolve the sovereignty issue with Honduras. Guatemala argues that the islands are already part of a separate, long-standing case between Guatemala and Belize, filed in 2019. Guatemala contends that Belize’s unilateral action against Honduras has created procedural complications and risks prejudicing Guatemala’s rights. Honduras, however, opposes Guatemala’s intervention, calling it vague and citing Article 59 of the ICJ Statute, which limits judgments to the parties involved. Guatemala counters that Article 59 does not sufficiently protect third-party interests. The ICJ will continue hearings with oral arguments from Belize and Honduras, followed by Guatemala’s second round of arguments on November 26.