Belmopan, May 9 (Prensa Latina) Belizeans voted yes for the International Court of Justice (CIJ) to settle an old territorial, maritime and insular dispute with Guatemala, in a referendum held on Wednesday, according to reports issued today.

According to the announced data, 53,388 electors voted yes whereas 43,029 opposed it. Previously slated for April 10, 65.05 percent of the 148,000 Belizeans turned out to vote despite its deferral by the president of the Supreme Court, Kenneth Benjamin, to deeply analyze an appeal against such process filed by the opposition.

After the analysis, voters were summoned to respond whether they agree to any legal claim of Guatemala against Belize related to several territories should be submitted to the ICJ for a final decision and to determine the limits of these areas.

Guatemala recognized the independence of Belize in 1991 but it continues to claim approximately 11,030 square kilometers of Belize´s territory (from the Sarstun River in the south to the Sibun river to the north), as well as hundreds of islands and islets.