The longstanding territorial dispute between Guatemala and Belize has taken a new turn with Belize’s recent claim against Honduras, adding complexity to an already intricate legal battle. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague is now faced with the challenge of addressing two overlapping cases concerning sovereignty over key islands in the southern waters of Belize. Guatemala has emphasized that this is not the first time these islands have been at the center of a legal showdown, as the country and Belize have been engaged in a separate case since 2019 over the same territory. Belize’s new claim against Honduras, filed just days before Guatemala was due to submit its reply in the ongoing Guatemala/Belize case, has created a procedural dilemma for the court. Guatemalan Ambassador Ana Cristina Rodriguez Pineda highlighted the interconnectedness of the two cases, noting that Belize has acknowledged this overlap in its correspondence with Honduras. She suggested that hearing the merits of both cases consecutively could ensure consistency and efficiency, particularly if Guatemala is allowed to intervene. The outcome of these disputes holds significant implications for regional sovereignty and international legal precedents.