The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague commenced a pivotal hearing today, November 24, 2025, addressing the long-standing territorial dispute over the Sapodilla Cayes, a group of islands claimed by both Belize and Honduras. In a significant development, Guatemala has formally requested permission to intervene in the case, adding a new dimension to the decades-old conflict. The hearing marks the latest phase in a legal battle that reignited in 2022 when Belize filed its case against Honduras. The Sapodilla Cayes, referred to as Cayos Zapotillos by Honduras, are at the heart of this sovereignty dispute. ICJ President Iwasawa Yuji outlined the procedural timeline, noting that Belize’s application was based on the 1948 Pact of Bogotá, which provides a framework for peaceful dispute resolution in the Americas. The court has set deadlines for the submission of legal documents, with Belize’s memorial due by May 2, 2023, and Honduras’s counter-memorial by December 4, 2023. This case underscores the complexities of territorial claims in the region and the role of international law in resolving such disputes.