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Guatemala

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Last reviewed: 2 July 2008

Country information

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Relations with Neighbours

When Guatemala became independent in 1821, it claimed it had inherited the previous Spanish claim to the southern part of Belize. In September 1981, Belize gained its independence from the UK, but this was not recognised by Guatemala. Independence was preceded by Guatemala ending consular relations with Britain earlier in September 1981. Guatemala also closed its Consulate-General in Belize City and Consulate in Benque Viejo del Carmen, Belize. Subsequently, HM's Consul left Guatemala. From 1975 successive UN resolutions endorsed Belize's right to self-determination, independence and territorial integrity. As relations improved Guatemala recognised Belize as a sovereign and independent state in September 1991, though maintaining a territorial claim on Belize. Guatemalan/UK diplomatic relations were resumed in December 1986, while consular relations were renewed in August of the same year.

Belize and Guatemala have had a series of meetings under the auspices of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in an attempt to resolve the dispute through peaceful negotiation. Two Facilitators, one each appointed by Belize and Guatemala, presented comprehensive recommendations to both countries on 16 September 2002 on settling the dispute. The recommendations were made public on 17 September. They recommended some adjustment to the land border and new maritime limits giving Guatemala an Economic Exclusion Zone of some 2,000 square nautical miles. The Governments of Belize and Honduras each agreed to contribute 1,000 square nautical miles to this zone. The Facilitators also recommended the establishment of a tri-national ecological park covering coastal, insular and maritime areas of Belize, Guatemala and Honduras and a substantial internationally financed Development Trust Fund.

Although the Belize Government publicly supported the recommendations, the Guatemalan Government, citing constitutional difficulties, officially informed the OAS in August 2003 that it could not. Both governments, however, continued to work with the OAS to secure an agreement. In September 2003, the UK joined the ‘Group of Friends’ established under the OAS to help resolve the dispute.

Following negotiations in New York in September 2005, Guatemala and Belize signed a Framework for Negotiation and Confidence Building Measures. In November 2007, when regular meetings of both countries  under the auspices of the OAS t failed to reach agreement on a definitive solution, the  OAS Secretary General  recommended the dispute should go to an international  tribunal, specifically the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Both countries accepted this recommendation in June 2008. They will now need to comply with constitutional and political commitments and carry out national referenda for a decision on whether to follow the ICJ option.

Relations with the UK

The UK continues to support Guatemala's plans to advance development by implementing the agreements under the Peace Accords, particularly those relating to human rights, indigenous peoples and the internal security situation. In addition, the UK supports the OAS-sponsored negotiation process between Belize and Guatemala to resolve their territorial dispute.

The FCO/Department for International Development/Ministry of Defence are jointly funding a number of projects aimed at reducing the potential for conflict along the Belize/Guatemala border. The UK has disbursed approximately £2 million for projects since 2004/05 as well as providing financial and other support for the work of the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone between Guatemala and Belize. The UK Government will continue to work with the OAS to ensure that what we do complements the OAS process aimed at facilitating a peaceful and definitive border settlement between Belize and Guatemala.

Further details of one of the main GCPP Belize/Guatemala Strategy projects can be found at www.belizeguatemala.com or www.guatemalabelize.com (Language Exchange).

Cultural Relations with the UK

The British Embassy in Guatemala supports the British-Guatemalan Cultural Foundation in strengthening links between the 2 countries.

The Embassy also helps to sponsor the Guatemalan UK Alumni Association to enable Guatemalans who have studied in the UK at schools, colleges and universities to keep in touch through regular meetings and events. The Association includes ex-students who have received British Government scholarships. The FCO continues to send Guatemalan nationals to study in the UK through its Chevening Programme.

Recent Visits to Guatemala

HRH the Duke of York made the first official visit to Guatemala by a member of the Royal Family in March 2002 and FCO Minister Bill Rammell visited Guatemala in January 2004 as the representative of HMG at the inauguration of President Berger. A group of British MPs from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) made a successful visit to Guatemala in June 2006. The Princess Royal participated in the International Olympic Committee meeting in Guatemala on 3-7 August 2007, during which she also carried out a brief bilateral programme.  Foreign Office Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, Meg Munn,  visited in April 2008.

Recent Visits by Guatemalan Officials to the UK 

Jul 2002 - Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) delegation of Guatemalan Parliamentarians
Feb 2003 - Eduardo Gonzalez, Presidential Executive Secretary
Oct 2005 - Nineth Montenegro, Founding member of 'Encuentro por Guatemala'
Jun 2006 - Sergio Morales, Human Rights Ombudsman
Oct 2007 - Eduardo Stein, Vice President
Oct 2007 - Gert Rosenthal, Foreign Minister

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Contacts

Guatemala, Guatemala City, British Embassy

Address:

British Embassy
Edificio Torre Internacional, Nivel 11
16 Calle 0-55, Zona 10
Guatemala City

Telephone:

(502) 2380 7300

Fax:

(502) 2380-7339

Email:  embassy@intelnett.com (General enquiries)
Email:  consular.guatemala@fco.gov.uk (Consular enquiries)

Office hours:

Embassy

GMT:
Mon-Thurs: 1400-1830 / 1930-2300
Fri: 1400-1800

Local Time:
Mon-Thurs: 0800-1230 / 1330-1700
Fri: 0800-1200

Consular Section

GMT:
Mon-Tues: 1400-1800 and 1930-2230
Wed-Thurs: 1400-1800
Fri: 1400-1700

Local Time:
Mon-Tues: 0800-1200 and 1330-1630
Wed-Thurs: 0800-1200
Fri: 0800-1100

 

Guatemala, Guatemala City, British Embassy


Guatemala, Guatemala City, British Embassy