As part of the Facilitation Process between Belize and Guatemala, on October 8-10, 2002, the General Secretariat of the OAS sent a technical mission to the Adjacency Zone in the area of Melchos de Mencos – Benque Viejo.

During the morning of October 9, the Mission was informed of the death of a Guatemalan national, who was found on the Belizean side of the Adjacency Line.

After meeting with the local police forces of both Belize and Guatemala, the Mission concluded that:

- The incident was a tragic act of random delinquency, and;

- The incident is not related to the territorial differendum between Belize and Guatemala, nor to the defense forces of either country.

The Mission noted the professional manner with which the police forces of Belize and Guatemala undertook their work, collaborating closely in the on-going investigation of the facts of the case.

Reference: E-202/02