The Dispute Between Belize And Guatemala

The dispute between Belize and Guatemala is an unresolved bi-national dispute over the right to territory. The dispute between Belize and Guatemala originates with Spain's entitlement to all New World territories west of the line acknowledged in the 1494Treaty of Tordesillas. The Spaniards on no occasion settled on Belizean land as they failed to permanently subdue the native Mayans. Many of the late 15th century supremacies, like England, did not recognize the treaty that divided the world between Portugal and Spain. After the Treaty of Madrid ended piracy in 1670, the British started to settle in Belize to cut logwood but later on switched to cutting mahogany.
At that time the Spanish still sustained a right over Belizean territory, consequently
This claim was rejected because neither Spain nor Guatemala had ever occupied Belizean territory. Britain and Guatemala signed a treaty in 1859 as a way for Guatemala to recognize Belize, and to finally define the current boundaries between Belize and Guatemala. Britain had to help build a cart road between Guatemala and the Atlantic Coast for it to take effect. Guatemala claimed the treaty was broken because the road was never built. Britain offered cash settlement and proposed alternatives in the years that followed, but no agreement was ever finalized. Belize was officially declared a British colony in
The 1975 UN General Assembly resolution affirming Belize’s right to independence with all its territory was rejected by Guatemala. Belize then continued to seek support from other countries which it gained by 1980 when 139 countries voted in favour, and later gained independence in 1981. That same year, Britain, Guatemala and Belize signed an agreement known as the “Heads of Agreement” in which neither terms for a final agreement nor for specific proposals were met; rather, the document set forth areas for discussion that would form the basis for a final agreement after negotiations. Guatemala then agreed to recognize an independent Belize within its existing borders. Negotiations between Belize and Guatemala, resumed in 1988. Guatemala recognized Belize's independence in 1991 and diplomatic relations were