In a significant diplomatic development, Guatemala has formally addressed mounting international concerns regarding recurring military incidents along the contested Sarstoon River border zone. Foreign Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez Alvarado provided a detailed response to direct questioning about the nation’s strategy for conflict reduction in the region.
The Minister confirmed that bilateral discussions are actively underway between the involved nations, with the explicit objective of implementing tension-reduction protocols. These diplomatic efforts are occurring with the close oversight of the Organization of American States (OAS), which has been monitoring the situation with particular attention.
Minister Martinez Alvarado elaborated on concrete measures being implemented, stating, ‘There are several measures that we have had to follow and implement internally, in coordination with our armed forces, in addition to the arrangements in place between both countries.’ He specifically reiterated Guatemala’s commitment to ‘reducing tensions across the entire zone, including the Sarstoon River.’
While acknowledging that some incidents have been ‘unfortunately, inevitable,’ the Foreign Minister emphasized his nation’s continued dedication to diplomatic solutions and military de-escalation. This statement represents the most direct official response to date regarding Guatemala’s position on the border tensions that have attracted regional concern.