BELIZE-DISPUTE-Prime Minister cautions Belizeans against frequenting the Sarstoon.

Prime Minister John Briceno is urging Belizeans not to frequent the controvertial Sarstoon river border fearing further escalation of tensions between Guatemala and Belize.

Briceno made the comments in an interview with local media, following increased tensions on Sarstoon River between Belizean and the Guatemalan Armed Forces.

One of the most recent face-offs was between the Belize Territorial Volunteers (BTV) who's ore responsibility is the protection of Belize's marine resources and Guatemalan fishermen.

'I urge the territorial volunteers to be careful. While we accept what they are doing and understand that they are in our territory and Belizeans supposed to feel free to move anywhere in the country, including the Sarstoon.

'But because of the tense situation with eh military in that area, I am urging them to be careful,' Briceno told reporters

Guatemala and Belize has a long standing border dispute dating back to the beginning of the 1990s, in which Guatemala is claiming about 11,000 square km (4,250 square miles) of Belize which amounts to half of its territory.

The...