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2019 Belizean territorial dispute referendum

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Belizean territorial dispute referendum, 2019
8 May 2019
Do you agree that any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize relating to land and insular territories and to any maritime areas pertaining to these territories should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement and that it determines finally the boundaries of the respective territories and areas of the parties?

A referendum on the territorial dispute with Guatemala was held in Belize on 8 May 2019.[1] The vote had originally been scheduled for 10 April, but was delayed by a legal challenge.[2][3]

Purpose and planning

The purpose of the referendum is to ask voters whether the Belizean and Guatemalan governments should request the International Court of Justice to finally resolve the Belizean–Guatemalan territorial dispute, as part of a commitment signed in December 2008 between the two countries. Guatemala held a referendum on the subject 15 April 2018, and as established in the previous agreements, Belize was required to organise a referendum within six months.[4][5] Guatemalan Vice President Jafeth Cabrera stated that Belize would hold a referendum in May 2018, but the Belizean government released a statement denying this, stating rather that they would hold the referendum after the re-registration process has occurred to ensure an accurate and fair vote.[6]

The opposition People's United Party criticised the government for issuing tickets for a raffle to be held on referendum day, claiming it was bribery.[7]

Delay

The referendum was challenged before the Belizean courts by the opposition People's United Party (PUP) on the grounds that it was based on the 2008 Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala, which might lead to territorial changes inconsistent with Belize's constitution. This led to an injunction being issued by the Supreme Court of Belize delaying the referendum.[8]

Following the issuing of the injunction delaying the referendum, the Belizean government introduced legislation that it believed would address the injunction.[9] The opposition PUP, on the other hand, stated that an amendment to the constitution, requiring a two-thirds majority vote, was needed before the refendum could be held.[10] The Belizean government's new referendum legislation passed parliament on 12 April, 2019, and was voted on and passed by the Belizean senate on 15 April 2019.[11][12]

The PUP has objected to the new referendum bill on the grounds that it is based on the 2008 Special Agreement between Belize and Guatemala, which is the subject of the court proceedings under which the injunction delaying the referendum was issued. The PUP's Attorney, Kareem Musa, stated on 15 April 2019 that the PUP would have supported a referendum based on the existing referendum legislation, which does not reference the 2008 Special Agreement.[13]

The Belizean government asked on 15 April 2019 for the injunction to be set aside in light of the passing of the 10 April deadline for holding the referendum and the introduction of a new referendum bill. The court refused to set aside the injunction before the substantive hearing.[14] The court set a date of 29 April 2019 for the case to be heard.[15]

International response to the delay

The European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States issued a joint declaration dated 11 April 2019 urging the Belizean government to hold a vote as soon as possible.[16] Guatemalan president Jimmy Morales also urged the government to hold the referendum quickly. During this period, Morales sparked controversy by drawing Belize as part of Guatemala during a visit to a school.[17] On 15 April 2019, Guatemalan gunboats also prevented the Belizean coast guard from patrolling the Sarstoon River on the border between the two countries.[18]

Results

Choice Votes %
Yes
No
Invalid/blank –
Total 100
Registered voters/turnout 148,500
Source:
Vote share
Yes
 
 0.00%
No
 
 0.00%

See also

References

  1. ^ Government announces new referendum date Breaking Belize News, 18 April 2019
  2. ^ "The Impact of the Delayed I.C.J. Referendum". Channel 5 Belize. 10 April 2019. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  3. ^ Belice define fecha para la consulta popular sobre el diferendo territorial Prensa Libre, 30 April 2018
  4. ^ "Guatemala avalará en las urnas el 15 de abril diferendo con Belice". Prensa-latina.cu. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  5. ^ "Guatemaltecos irán a las urnas en 2018 por el referéndum con Belice | Publinews". Publinews.gt. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
  6. ^ "Belize Government rejects referendum date by Guatemala's Vice President". Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com. 2018-04-16. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  7. ^ "PUP condemns Government's referendum corruption". Breaking Belize News. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  8. ^ Cayetano, Isani (9 April 2019). "PM Barrow Dismisses Idea of a Mutual Decision to Delay I.C.J. Referendum". Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  9. ^ "P.U.P. Demands Order Papers for Friday's House Meeting". Channel 5 Belize. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  10. ^ "New Legislation to be Passed, but No New Referendum Date as Yet". Channel 5 Belize. Retrieved 11 April 2019.
  11. ^ Ali, Marion (13 April 2019). "Emotions Ran High During Debate Over ICJ Referendum". Reporter. Retrieved 15 April 2019.
  12. ^ Sanchez, Jose. "Senate passes Belize Territorial Dispute Referendum Bill, 2019". Love FM. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  13. ^ "New Referendum Bill a concern for the PUP". Breaking Belize News. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  14. ^ "ICJ Referendum Injunction Courtroom Drama Continues". Reporter. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Guatemalan navy gunboats block Belize Coast Guard from accessing the Sarstoon river". Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  16. ^ Ramo, Wellington C. "ICJ referendum in Belize: Joint statement from EU, UK and US". Caribbean News Now. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  17. ^ "President Morales of Guatemala calls on Belize to conduct ICJ Referendum". Breaking Belize News. Retrieved 16 April 2019.
  18. ^ "Guatemalan navy gunboats block Belize Coast Guard from accessing the Sarstoon river". Retrieved 16 April 2019.
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