Thursday: Arenal

So, technically I can now say that I’ve been to Guatemala.  This morning I met up with my opposite number based in Guatemala City at the Belize-Guatemala border between Benque de Viejo and Melchor.  We were joined by a few other colleagues from ministries on both sides.  

The idea was to get a sense of the border communities as there is currently a territorial dispute between the two countries.  The case is currently before the ICJ but, simply put, Guatemala is claiming about half of Belize’s territory.

This is the hair-raising bridge leading over to one of the Guatemalan communities, Arenal.  It got distinctly wobbly at one point.  The extras are of the community centre where local women are taught baking, and the church in Benque del Viejo.  It was a really full but interesting day.