Internationalization Ascendant (1976–1977)

Abstract

Talks had been scheduled to take place in February, but the earthquake that devastated Guatemala on February 5, 1976 forced their postponement until the end of April. The British used the time to reflect on their policy options and to devise proposals that would be sufficiently attractive to the Guatemalans and still be acceptable to the Belizeans, while the latter concentrated their efforts on gaining Latin American support and firming up some sort of defense guarantee. There were serious misunderstandings between London and Belmopan, as British negotiators drifted further and further from the mandates of the United Nations (UN) resolutions and the Belizeans opened up more fronts in the international arena to bolster their position.