Part 7/8:
A notable breakthrough occurred when both nations, under OAS auspices, signed a special agreement in 2008 to submit the territorial dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Both countries held referendums for their respective populations to agree on international arbitration, with significant support evidenced in Belize’s poll.
However, complications arose due to political shifts, military skirmishes, and pandemic-related delays for the ICJ hearings. The ruling from the ICJ, which has been anticipated to favor Belize given the historical agreements and recognition of its borders, may not definitively resolve all underlying tensions.