The carrier's air group persuaded Guatemala to withdraw without Britain immediately placing brigades ashore. A large land deployment in 1972 could have alienated Latin American governments and reinforced Guatemala's political case. Continued diplomacy and delay allowed regional opinion to move toward Belizean independence and sovereignty. Britain could later increase its land and Harrier presence under more favourable political conditions because sea-based deterrence had bought time.
Notable Point · 1:20:30-1:21:41
Carrier deterrence bought political time for Belize
Ark Royal deterred an immediate attack without the regional political costs of a large land deployment, allowing opinion to shift toward Belizean sovereignty.