In a significant diplomatic development, Guatemalan Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martínez Alvarado has formally reaffirmed his nation’s commitment to accepting the forthcoming International Court of Justice ruling regarding the protracted territorial dispute with neighboring Belize. The declaration came following high-level consultations held on January 22, 2026, marking the first official engagement with the new representative of the Secretary-General.
Minister Martínez Alvarado characterized the judicial process as a paradigm of peaceful conflict resolution through international legal frameworks. “Our position aligns with the fundamental principles of international law,” stated the Foreign Minister during post-meeting deliberations. “We have maintained consistent advocacy across multiple international forums regarding our nation’s dedication to implementing the Court’s decision irrespective of its final determination.”
The diplomatic discourse highlighted the Organization of American States’ substantial involvement in facilitating this process spanning two decades. Martínez Alvarado specifically acknowledged the continuity of approach maintained by Minister Fonseca throughout the prolonged judicial proceedings, while emphasizing the newly established collaborative dynamic with the Secretary-General’s representative.
This bilateral engagement between Guatemala and Belize represents a noteworthy departure from conventional territorial dispute resolution mechanisms. Rather than pursuing adversarial approaches, both nations have opted for judicial arbitration through the ICJ, establishing what regional observers consider a precedent for amicable conflict resolution in Latin American territorial matters. The Foreign Minister explicitly framed this process as demonstrating how historically contentious international disagreements can be addressed through established legal channels rather than political confrontation.