by KW Team Macarena Rose 
Exploring Belize History with Hector Silva, O.B.E. The Historical Triangle: Part 2 Clarissa Falls
Summary of the Part 1 Clarissa Falls Video
Historical Triangle in Belize – Join Macarena Rose and Belizean historian Hector Silva in Part 2 of our journey through Belize’s Historical Triangle.
Click here : If you missed Part 1 on The Historical Triangle in Belize Tipu
In this episode, we explore the rich heritage of Clarissa Falls, uncovering the inspiring story of Clarissa Carter and Thomas Paslow, and their powerful roles in defending Belize’s sovereignty. Discover how their courage, along with the pivotal Flowers Bank vote and the resistance against Spanish invasions, helped shape the Belize we know today. Learn how geography, colonial politics, and unsung heroes like Clarissa and the Mosquito Kings played a crucial part in Belize’s path to independence—and why these hidden stories matter now more than ever.
Filmed on-site at the breathtaking Clarissa Falls Resort
Filmed on-site at the breathtaking Clarissa Falls Resort, this is a must-watch for history lovers, patriots, and anyone curious about the true story behind Belize’s territorial integrity.
Read the full video transcript - Historical Triangle in Belize Clarissa Falls
Hey, it’s Macarena from Belize Talk Radio. And you just heard some information about Tipu from Hector Silva that really puts the puzzle piece of the first part of the triangle together. Now we’re going to head over to Paslow Falls, Clarissa Falls, all of those excellent areas that really do tell that second part of the triangle, the history.
And why is this all important? Because Guatemala says that Belize is for them, and Belize says Belize is for them. And historically, we can show a pattern of how Belize has really been Belize.
Well, we’re back. We’re here somewhere different. We were just at Tipu. We took a short little break, we had some lunch, and we thought we would now join you here to learn about the second part of the triangle. And where are we done, Hector?
Clarissa Falls is one of the biggest waterfalls on the Mopan River
We are here at Clarissa, Falls. This is the second point of the Historical Triangle in Belize. It’s a one of the biggest waterfalls on the Mopan River. So Clarissa, Farm Falls is right now we are at a resort, beautiful resort.
Oh, yes. Built here on top of this mound that overlooks the historic fall Clarissa Fall. Now, to start with your permission, may I just read this little short thing about Clarissa?
Absolutely. Clarissa Falls was named after a young lady by name Clarissa Carter. C A R T E R. A Creole girl of English and Afro descent.
She was married to Thomas Paslow, who also owned this area in those days. And he owned an area two miles away by name, Paslow Falls. After Parslow married Clarissa, who she, he had to pay £400 because Clarissa was in those days owned by another person named Captain Laurie.
Captain Laurie held these people in actually in possession. So anybody that wanted to live here and had to pay 400 pounds British currency, Paslow paid, married Clarissa and took her to Belize City.
Paslow played an important role in Belize's Independence
Paslow in Belize City played a, very important role in Belize’s independence. And listen carefully what happened. The Spaniards were harassing the settlers to the extreme that, the settlers thought that they should abandon this settlement.
So the magistrate Pott, Thomas Pott decided to have a referendum, the first referendum ever in this territory. So they went to the convention in Belize City and they opened people’s residence to vote.
At, the end of the convention, the voting was 51 to stay, 51 to leave. What a problem. But there were some, call them free negroes of Flowers bank that decided to paddle down to Belize City and vote to stay.
Twelve of them left Flowers bank by dory and two were down in Belize City. They were Americans, had a business and they came out to vote. So the vote ended. 65 to stay, 51 to leave.
The Spaniards were defeated at Tipu
Hence, that’s why we are here today. But let’s go further. When the Spaniards decided that they would take over, remember they were chased at Tipu.
Don’t forget that they were defeated and chased at Tipu, where we come from. So now they tried by sea from Yucatan. They decided to invade Belize with 30 odd sailing boats, of course, and about 2,000 men.
When they came down towards Belize. At that time, it was the settlement of Belize in the Bay of Honduras. They found that Belize was prepared with help from Jamaica. They came there.
And when the Spaniards saw this preparation, they thought that they were lost. Some say it was a battle. But then nobody died. Up to now, nobody died.
No shots were thrown or missiles. The presence was like a, confrontation. And the Spaniards went away with cholera. And their ships wrecked in the reef right north of St. George’s Caye at a place they call Frenchman Caye.
The reef is there with sharp stone that could cut anything. So now during that, those moments, the settlers in Belize, the Baymen, were assisted by Africans and by Mosquito Indians called them. We called them Waika.
They came with the British. When the British abandoned Blue Fields, Nicaragua and the Bay Islands, gave it back to Honduras. They wanted to come to Belize And they used to crown their kings at St. John’s Cathedral.
The names are there. Three kings for the mosquitoes were crowned at St. John’s Cathedral in Belize. Because they felt more secured in Belize than where they came from.
Clarissa and the Three Cannons
So the thing is that during that battle, Clarissa, the young lady from this. By this water fall here, she decided to man three cannons along with some other ladies.
Three cannons that on top of the building named Wexford Building. Wexford Building both side of the swing bridge. Right now, the old swing bridge where the market was once and now another building.
That was so they could take a view of incoming if the Spaniards run over the settlers. So Clarissa, the lady named under whose name Waterfall was named, played a very heroic position to also give her womanhood to defend Belize.
Paslow, who own here and own a little bit ahead. Married to Clarissa, who was here from this area. I had spoken to the owner, Ms. Chenita. He said that there’s supposed to be some block or something instrument across the creek there of that era of Clarissa Falls.
Clarissa Falls is the place that created the Resistance - Historical Triangle in Belize
But what we know is that the fall is here and this fall is historic. It is recognized in all history, including the Spaniards, that this is the place that created that resistance against the invading Spaniards.
Now Macarena, you have questions as usual. So I will give you the thing. I have the whole thing about the battle. Oh remember Paslow made a statement that is as good then as it is now.
And he said any person that is not prepared to defend his country should not reap the benefits in that country.
And I could name many Belize and right now in Belize that do not merit to get what they are getting because we had a referendum and they sent our sovereignty to ICJ.
ICJ, The Big Betrayal
Now this was one of the biggest betrayal that happened. But I’m going to come to a point and I want to listen to it carefully. Guatemala claims Belize. What is their claim? What is their claim?
I’ll tell you right now. She signed a treaty with Great Britain whereby they would build a road from Guatemala which is pretend to Belize City, the port. They agreed that they would build this road conjointly.
And I’m making this reference because I would like when this is released, this declaration is released that they do not say, I never know that I am going to read Article 7.
Article 7 is the only article that Guatemala lays claim over beliefs. And it says with the object of practically carrying out the views set forth in the preamble of the present convention for improving and perpetuating the friendly relations which exist between two high contesting partners.
They mutually agree conjointly to use their best efforts by taking adequate means for establishing the easiest communication between Britain and Guatemala.
And it says either by building a cart road, new long garden cart road, or employing the rivers of both united or both united.
Guatemala's claim over Belize is Unfounded
So Guatemala claim is unfounded. The road was not built. But Guatemala used this same River and the Macal to take them all the chicle and mahogany to the port. So Guatemala has no claim.
Absolutely. And all the years I was in government we call it unfounded claim. But things gone saw by our succeeding leaders and they agreed to accept Guatemala’s claim and to go to the International Court of Justice ICJ.
So there’s where the position comes that we are standing on solid ground. This man that owned this area along with his wife went to Belize, organized the people to vote not to abandon Belize and so said so done.
In the local language of Belize it says at the end of the day that word, I don’t know where it comes from at the end of the day, but so said, so done. The voting took place. We remain in possession for now 227 years.
Or 200, let’s see. Mathematics, 1998 to the year 2002. 20, 25. That’ll be hundred. That’s a lot of years.
Yes. And then you add on 25. So it’s about 227 years ago that we Belizean’s, we visitors, Macarena included, and my good friend, are in possession of this territory undisturbed by anybody.
Anglo Guatemala Agreement 1859
So this is the thing that crowns Tipu as such an important and Clarissa as such important post that our people have not been told why. Why?
I don’t have an answer. So now that Macarena invited me, say, okay, let’s go throw it open. Let’s go up and tell the people the truth about Tipu, about Clarissa and Thomas Paslow.
Your question? Now. So first of all, you know, I have several questions. First of all, what year was this done? This. What do you. What year was the Anglo Guatemala agreement done? 1859.
1859, yes. 1859. That was done. Yeah. Is this. Yep. January 1st, 1859. Yes, that’s right. And this is known.
Guatemala was in agreement until 1946
Correct. So I’m still confused. What’s the problem? In other words, we’re not making up history. This is history. So what’s the confusion of, I mean, on Guatemala feeling to, do something against that agreement?
Well, Guatemala was all along in Agreement until 1946. A president by the name of Jorge Ubico, okay, sent that he did not agree with this agreement, that it was null and void.
1946, there Guatemala began Belizes Nuestro Belizes. Nuestro. They had a sign right there at Melchor, Belize, Nuestro. So now, despite the fact that Guatemala agreed that borders should be marked, and so we will see one of them not far from here.
We’ll see that one whereby Belize is separated from, Guatemala by fixed borders. The place where we are going to know is Garbutt Falls. We are at Clarissa.
We are going to go to Garbutt Falls and you’re going to see the monument that divide us from Guatemala all established. So this situation whereby we are now waiting to hear what the ICJ will say was unnecessary if what I am telling you would have been told to the people.
But nobody did it. I am retired. For me, it was difficult for travel all over the country to tell them the truth. But our, local politicians failed us badly by not telling the People, what we are telling the world know what we think.
Tipu Preserved this Land for Us
So Tipu important because they preserved this land for us. Thomas Paslow led the people to protect this land for us by not allowing the Spaniards to take over the islands and then Belize City and all those areas.
So that. That’s what it is. So Guatemala is on false pretense, and they know it. That’s why only 24% of them went to vote. 24% of the Guatemalans went to vote that they go to the ICJ.
They never want yet Belizeans were paid to vote that we go to the ICJ. Can you see that contrast? Guatemala never interested in going to the court to get Belize.
But our people were fooled to accept to vote to go to the ICJ. That’s why we are presently here waiting. And, waiting because this year the ICJ will decide what is what.
But our mission here with Macarena and you all is to show those important points of the triangle that nobody has ever said it, nobody has mentioned in none of our schools, none of our universities.
They don’t know these facts. So there is where we are waiting to hear what the ICJ will say. But that is yet to be seen if it will be consummated.
Will Belize or Guatemala be happy?
If they don’t get nothing from the other side, will they be happy? And if we take half our country, will we be happy? But I leave it to them. So let’s go back to Paslow.
Where did Paslow? He was English. He was English. Paslow was English? Yes. Thomas Paslow was an English boy. And he came over to Belize. He came a wealthy. And he came along with the original crowd. And they got lands. Lands were distributed to them many areas.
The Spanish local area, the Duckrun area, the Cramer lands. And all these lands were given by the British, free of cost to whoever created a, mahogany work. That’s what they used to call it.
Mahogany work. San Ignacio began as a, mahogany work where they so dump the logs there by where the market is then they float them down. And there were many like this along. Benque has one next door there, which is La Bacadilla, where they log by the thousands.
And used to from Guatemala, from here. And then the river raise pass here carry them back to Burrell Boom, where they were deposited there at Burrell. At Boom. Burrell Boom. Yes. Yes. So, okay.
And then Clarissa was here because she was the slave of one of the captain. Yes. One of the owners of Corozal. But Thomas Paslow, to marry her, had to pay a ransom or something, £400.
It's Your People Who Saved Us
Then she became free. Then he married Paslow. And, Paslow took her to Belize to stay with him. And the beautiful thing that after the battle, after the Spaniards run away, Clarissa and Thomas had an exchange.
When Clarissa, thanked Thomas Paslow for what he had done to save Belize leading the vote, Paslow said, my dear wife, it’s your people that save us.
Those that came from Flores Bank, that’s a beautiful piece of what you call it there. That’s right. Because they had the vote. They voted. They voted. Thomas led, up to a point. Bo Clarissa said, oh, Thomas said, no, no, no.
Your people saved this land for you all. That’s one of the greatest statements by a person in those days that had courage to get up and fight like Tony Soberanis.
But that’s another story that those men that were here that were prepared to fight George Price and some of them were there to prepare to fight for the rights of the people that are living here.
So he too lived his life full and did great things that people don’t even know about. For example, this happening, Correct? That’s true. And it reminds me of a powerful man that I know named Don Hector Silva. Him still alive now.
Don't miss experiencing Clarissa Falls and the Clarissa Falls Resort
Yes. Because, see, this is a monument where we are going to know. You’re going to inspire always. We’re going to this monument right now, not far from here. You’re going to inspire always. Yes. And as I said, this is our duty. We are serving right now in the military.
In the military of the people. By giving this story that was hidden, was locked up in some shelf or negligently, they didn’t want this to reveal, to be revealed.
Because this is going to open the eyes of many people that didn’t know about Tipu. They don’t know about this, follow on Only when they come and eat Chenita’s escabeche and nice rice and beans. Well, Chena has great food. Oh, yeah. Chenita is keeping the fork.
The third, the second step is manned by Chenita. But we know our cannon. We have to get our canon. So what we’ll do is we will certainly tell you we’re at Clarissa Falls again. We were blessed to have lunch here. You will want to stop by here. It is a historical part.
It’s the second part of our triangle. Right? It’s the second part. We did the first, we did our second. We’re going to go do the third. And that is the Billy story. And that’s it. That is the Billy story. The other little things about this, but no, the story is that the land was Maya land.
Let us fight for our Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity.
The Mayas preserved it for us by chasing the Spaniards. The Spaniards attempted for the second time. But Thomas Paslow, owner of Clarissa Falls and Clarissa Carter, his wife, decided, no, we will vote for make we stay and defend.
And so the vote went. Paslow gave us another victory, forgetting about the St. George’s Caye thing Paslow gave us by standing for that convention that they held.
And so then came the final. The recognition of Belize had to come through what we are going to see the monument that was erected over there in 1934.
Belizean, Mr. James Witt, Mr. Fairweather. There were the surveyors that run from down the Sarstoon some monuments. Gracias a Dios. We have Garbutt and, we have the three flags up by Orange Walk that give us the division.
And that’s what we call our territorial integrity. What George Price used show Let us fight for our sovereignty and territorial integrity. We shall not give one square centimeter. George told the United Nations and Philip Goldson said, and, not a blade of grass.
And so we are here still owning our land. So this story will go through some of the politicians that Belmopan, San Ignacio or some of the lawyers too, because they should do this thing.
Don't Miss Part 3 of The Historical Triangle in Belize
They should be doing this. No, no. Have to go away from the States Macarena and sweat and eat the sweat off. Right? Now I’ve been here 21 years and I still can sweat. Right. I don’t think that ever goes away. But this. So I think this ends if you have another question, question or anybody have a question standing or sitting.
So I know you’re viewing this, right. So you can’t ask a question, but you know, you can always reach out to us. Well, this is the story in brief. I’m giving you this in brief. I could go on for maybe five days or more. True. Going to all this year, but this will be in a book, book style.
And so stay tuned because we’re gonna mosey on over to the last part of our triangle. Okay. We can continue the story. You got part one, part two, and the third part of the triangle. Stay tuned.
