Guatemala and Belize clash over alleged military aircraft incursion

Guatemala and Belize have engaged in a diplomatic dispute at the United Nations following allegations of a military aircraft incursion. Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño accused Guatemala of violating Belizean sovereignty on September 24 when a Guatemalan Pilatus PC-12 NG military aircraft allegedly entered Belizean airspace and intentionally disabled its transponder.

Briceño stated that such incursions are part of a continuing pattern of unlawful operations in the Sarstoon River area, which could undermine the authority of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ahead of scheduled hearings in February 2027. Belize intends to provide GPS coordinates and location data to support its claims and issue a formal diplomatic protest.

Guatemala has rejected these claims, telling the UN General Assembly that the reported flight “never happened.” The Guatemalan delegation characterized the event as a “supposed” overflight and maintained that all military operations are conducted according to national and international law. Guatemala has expressed readiness to provide flight records and make the aircraft available for inspection, while also requesting an investigation by the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone.