Guatemala cuts British tie over Belize independence

Guatemala has broken off consular relations with Britain just two weeks before the British Central American colony of Belize wins its independence. Presidential spokesman Carlos Toledo Vielman said the action was taken because Britain was granting Belize "unilateral" independence.

The government ordered its consulates in Belize and all British consulates in Guatemala to close and ended commercial ties Between Guatemala and Belize.

The Caribbean territory, administered for 300 years by Britain, which maintains 1,600 troops there, is claimed by neighboring Guatemala. But Guatemalan officials have said the country will not try to occupy Belize.