Belize's Sarstoon River: Bordering Nature

The Sarstoon River is a Central American river that forms the southern part of the Belize–Guatemala border. The river is approximately 111 kilometres long and its source lies in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz Department. It flows eastward, serving as the border between the departments of Petén and Izabal before passing between Belize's Toledo District and Guatemala's Izabal Department. The river is a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. Sarstoon Island, an uninhabited mangrove swampland, is located near the mouth of the river, in Belizean territory.

The Sarstoon River is the southernmost river in Belize

The Sarstoon River rises in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz Department and flows eastward, marking the border between the departments of Petén and Izabal. It then passes between Belize's Toledo District and Guatemala's Izabal Department before emptying into the Caribbean Sea. Sarstoon Island, an uninhabited mangrove swampland, is located near the mouth of the river, on the Belizean side.

The Sarstoon River has been a source of tension between Belize and Guatemala due to territorial disputes. Despite the river being recognised as the international border between the two countries, Guatemala has claimed Belizean territory south of the Sibun River since 1999. This has led to several incidents, including Guatemalan armed forces illegally entering Belizean waters and preventing Belizean civilians from freely navigating the river.

The Sarstoon-Temash National Park, located between the Temash and Sarstoon Rivers in the Toledo District, is one of the wildest and most remote areas of Belize. The park covers 42,000 acres and is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including white-faced capuchin monkeys, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, and over 200 species of birds. Visitors can explore this pristine area by boat, with guided tours available through the Sarstoon-Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM).

The river forms the Belize-Guatemala border

The Sarstoon River is a Central American river that forms part of the border between Belize and Guatemala. The river is approximately 111 kilometres long, with its source in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz Department. It flows eastward, serving as the border between the departments of Petén and Izabal before passing between Belize's Toledo District and Guatemala's Izabal Department.

The Sarstoon River is the internationally accepted southern border between Belize and Guatemala. However, as part of the ongoing Belizean-Guatemalan territorial dispute, Guatemala has claimed Belizean territory south of the Sibun River since 1999. This dispute has led to several incidents along the river in recent years, including a border incident in 2019 when Guatemalan gunboats prevented the Belizean coast guard from patrolling the river.

Sarstoon Island, located near the mouth of the Sarstoon River, has been a particular point of contention. Under the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty of 1859, the island was determined to be part of Belizean territory as the river's main navigable channel passes to the south of the island. However, Guatemala later terminated the agreement, and tensions have persisted. Guatemalan Armed Forces routinely patrol the waters of Sarstoon Island, illegally entering Belizean waters and preventing Belizean civilians from freely navigating the area.

The Sarstoon River is also a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. The Sarstoon-Temash National Park, located between the Temash and Sarstoon Rivers in the Toledo District, is a remote and wild area known for its diverse wildlife and more than 200 species of birds. Visitors can explore the park by boat and spot animals such as jaguars, ocelots, and tapirs.

Sarstoon Island is Belizean territory

Sarstoon Island, covering approximately 0.68 square kilometres, is mostly uninhabited mangrove swampland. It is part of the Toledo District of Belize, one of six districts in the country. The island has been at the centre of a Belizean-Guatemalan territorial dispute, with Guatemala making recent claims to the island. Despite these claims, multiple sources affirm Belize's sovereignty over the island.

The Wyke-Aycinena Treaty of 1859, which states that islands within the Sarstoon River belong to the party on whose side the river's main navigable channel flows, supports Belize's claim to Sarstoon Island. A subsequent survey in 1860 by commissioners for British Honduras (now Belize) and Guatemala found that the river's current predominantly passed south of the island, placing it within Belizean territory. A map was drawn up to certify these findings, signed by both commissioners on May 13, 1861.

In addition, historical records from 1825 indicate that the Sarstoon River has long been recognised as the boundary between Belize and Guatemala. This was confirmed by a leading British merchant's report to the British Foreign Office and a map sent by the Superintendent of the Belize settlement to London, both asserting the river as the demarcation point between the two nations.

Despite Guatemala's termination of the 1859 agreement and ongoing tensions, including incidents of Guatemalan armed forces illegally entering Belizean waters and preventing free passage for Belizean civilians, Sarstoon Island remains an integral part of Belizean territory.

Guatemala has claimed Belizean territory south of the Sibun River

The Sarstoon River is a Central American river that forms part of the international border between Belize and Guatemala. The river is approximately 111km long, flowing eastward from its source in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz Department. It serves as the border between the departments of Petén and Izabal in Guatemala before passing between Belize's Toledo District and Guatemala's Izabal Department. Near its mouth lies Sarstoon Island, an uninhabited mangrove swampland that is part of Belizean territory.

The Sarstoon River has been a source of tension between Belize and Guatemala, with both countries staking claims to the river and the nearby island. The river has been recognised as the internationally accepted southern border between the two nations, as outlined in the 1859 Treaty between Britain and Guatemala (also known as the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty). Despite this, Guatemala has disputed Belize's territorial rights south of the Sibun River, including the Sarstoon River and Sarstoon Island.

Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory south of the Sibun River dates back to the country's independence in the 19th century. The dispute stems from differing interpretations of colonial-era documents and treaties. Guatemala's claim is based on a pre-independence 1786 Convention, which places a vague historic boundary in the Sibun River, located north of the current border. On the other hand, Belize's claim to the territory is supported by the 1859 Treaty, which states that anything north of the mid-channel of the Sarstoon River is Belizean territory.

The territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala has a long and complex history, with tensions flaring intermittently over the past two centuries. In 1999, Guatemala shifted its stance, reverting to claims inherited from the Spanish Empire and the Federal Republic of Central America. This led to both countries stationing troops along their shared border, with a one-kilometre "adjacency zone" established on either side of the 1859 treaty borders.

In recent years, there have been several incidents along the Sarstoon River, including Guatemalan gunboats preventing the Belizean coast guard from patrolling the river in 2019. Despite the ongoing dispute, the international community has recognised Belize's sovereignty over the territory, and the matter is currently being settled at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Both countries have submitted their initial briefs, and a ruling is not expected until 2025 at the earliest.

The river is a popular destination for fishing, kayaking and birdwatching

The Sarstoon River is a Central American river that forms the southern border between Belize and Guatemala. The river is approximately 111 kilometres long, with its source in Guatemala's Alta Verapaz Department. It flows eastward, passing between Belize's Toledo District and Guatemala's Izabal Department before emptying into the Caribbean Sea.

The Sarstoon River is a popular destination for fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching. The river and its surrounding area offer a diverse range of natural attractions and recreational activities. Here are some details about the river's appeal for fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching enthusiasts:

Fishing:

The Sarstoon River is known for its rich aquatic life, including large fish species such as snook and tarpon. The presence of ospreys and other seabirds along the river is a good indicator of the quality of fishing in the area. The river's proximity to the Caribbean Sea also contributes to the diversity of fish species in its waters.

Kayaking:

The Sarstoon River's calm waters and picturesque scenery make it ideal for kayaking. The river's meandering path through lush rainforests and mangrove forests provides a serene and captivating backdrop for paddlers. Kayakers can explore the river's tranquil waters and take in the surrounding natural beauty.

Birdwatching:

The Sarstoon River is a birdwatcher's paradise, offering opportunities to spot a variety of bird species. The river's mangrove forests and surrounding habitats are home to numerous birds, including ospreys, seabirds, and the rare scarlet macaw. Birdwatchers can observe the rich avian life along the river's banks and in the adjacent forests.

The river's popularity for fishing, kayaking, and birdwatching has contributed to its recognition as a significant natural attraction in Belize. Visitors can engage in these recreational activities while immersing themselves in the river's serene atmosphere and exploring the diverse wildlife that calls the Sarstoon River home.

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