Who Rules Belize? Understanding Us Influence

Belize is a constitutional parliamentary democracy and a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. It gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 and has since been a committed partner of the US on regional priorities, including security, governance, democracy, human rights, migration management, and climate change. The US has a strong presence in Belize, assisting with narcotics control, human and illicit trafficking, and strengthening border security and the police force. While the US does not have authority in Belize, it does have a notable influence on the country's internal affairs.

The US and Belize have a close relationship, with the US being Belize's principal trading partner and major source of investment funds

The United States and Belize have a long-standing and close relationship, with the US being the leading trading partner and principal source of investment funds for Belize. The US was an early supporter of Belize's independence from Britain, establishing diplomatic relations in 1981. Belize is home to the largest Belizean community outside of Belize itself, estimated to be between 70,000 and 160,000 people.

The two countries work together on a range of issues, including security, governance, democracy, human rights, migration management, and climate change. The US provides significant economic and military assistance to Belize, including support for the Belize Defence Force and Coast Guard. The US also assists Belize in fighting narcotics, human trafficking, and transnational organized crime.

The US is the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing millions of dollars in bilateral economic and military aid. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided over $100 million in development assistance to Belize over 13 years, and Peace Corps volunteers have served in Belize since 1962. The US military has also played a key role in the construction and renovation of schools and youth hostels, as well as providing medical assistance and drug reduction programs.

The US and Belize have a strong trading relationship, with trade in goods totalling $644.09 million in 2022. Tourism attracts the most foreign direct investment, but US companies also invest in the agriculture, agroforestry, and energy sectors. The US is committed to supporting conservation and climate adaptation efforts in Belize, providing emergency humanitarian aid after Hurricane Lisa in 2022.

Both countries are members of several international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the International Maritime Organization. They also cooperate on regional migration issues through the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM).

The US is working with the Belize government to fight illicit narcotics trafficking and control the flow of illegal migration

The United States and Belize have traditionally maintained close and cordial relations. The US is Belize's principal trading partner and a major source of investment funds. The US is also home to the largest Belizean community outside Belize, with an estimated population of 160,000.

The US and Belize have been working together to address security, prosperity, governance, democracy, human rights, migration management, and climate change.

The US is committed to helping Belize fight illicit narcotics trafficking and control the flow of illegal migration. The US government seeks to strengthen citizen security and improve Belize's capacity to confront criminal organizations. US programs continue to assist Belize in professionalizing its police force, strengthening its justice sector, and improving its border security capacity.

The US and Belize have brought into force a stolen vehicle treaty, an extradition treaty, and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between 2001 and 2003. The US regularly participates in military training and exercises with the Belize Defense Force. The US military has also played a significant role in establishing and building the capacity of Belize's Coast Guard.

The US provides economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in bilateral economic and military aid. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided development assistance to Belize, and Peace Corps volunteers have served in the country since 1962. The US military has a diverse assistance program in Belize, including the construction and renovation of schools, youth hostels, and medical assistance programs.

The US and Belize also work together to address human trafficking. The Government of Belize has made significant efforts to eliminate trafficking, including designating judges for trafficking trials, providing shelter for male victims, including anti-trafficking training in police academy training, and sentencing traffickers to significant sentences. However, there are still concerns about official complicity in trafficking crimes and the need for increased efforts in identification and protection of victims.

The US is the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in bilateral economic and military aid

The United States is the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in bilateral economic and military aid. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has played a key role in this, providing $110 million worth of development assistance to Belize over a 13-year program that ended in 1996. Belize continues to benefit from USAID regional programs.

The US also supports Belize through its Peace Corps volunteers, who have served in the country since 1962, and its military assistance programs, which include training, humanitarian and medical assistance, and the construction and renovation of schools. The US military helped establish Belize's Coast Guard and continues to support its development.

In addition to economic and military aid, the US provides assistance to Belize in the form of good governance programming. This includes initiatives to strengthen civil society, improve health security and government service delivery, and build capacity within civil society and the government civil service.

The US also works closely with the Government of Belize to address shared concerns, such as fighting narcotics and human trafficking and strengthening border security to control the flow of illegal migration.

The close relationship between the two countries is further highlighted by their shared membership in international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the World Trade Organization, and the International Monetary Fund.

The US has an embassy in Belmopan, Belize, and Belize has an embassy in Washington, D.C

The United States has an embassy in Belmopan, Belize, located at #4 Floral Park Road, Belmopan, Cayo, Belize. The embassy is open Monday to Thursday from 7:30 am to 5:15 pm and on Fridays from 7:30 am to 12:30 pm. The embassy can be contacted by phone at (501) 822-4011. The current ambassador to Belize is Michelle Kwan, who was appointed on October 7, 2022, and has had a distinguished career in public service, diplomacy, and sports. The Deputy Chief of Mission is Hayward "Hay" Alto, who began his service in Belize in June 2023.

Belize also has an embassy in Washington, D.C., in the United States. Belize is a constitutional parliamentary democracy with a bicameral National Assembly, consisting of an elected House of Representatives and an appointed Senate. The current Prime Minister of Belize is John Briceno, who was selected by the People's United Party, which won the majority of seats in the National Assembly in the 2020 elections. Belize's government is based on the British parliamentary system, and the country recognizes King Charles III as its monarch, who is represented by a governor-general.

While the presence of embassies facilitates diplomatic relations between the two countries, it is important to note that the United States does not have authority or jurisdiction in Belize. Each country has its own independent government and legal system.

Belize is rated high for crime and has one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world

Belize has a high crime rate and one of the highest per capita murder rates in the world. In 2023, the murder rate was 21.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, down from 25 per 100,000 in 2022. While this represents a downward trend, it is still significantly higher than the regional average of 18.3 per 100,000.

The high crime rate in Belize is a cause for concern for both the Belizean government and its international partners, including the United States. The US has been working closely with the Belizean government to address these issues, particularly in regards to strengthening border security, combating transnational crime, and managing the flow of irregular migrants. US assistance to Belize includes programs to professionalize the police force, strengthen the justice sector, and improve border security.

The high murder rate in Belize is primarily driven by gang violence and the activities of criminal organizations. Firearms are the main weapon used in murders, with eight out of ten murders committed with a firearm. Young people are the most affected, with two in five victims of murder between the ages of 18 and 29.

In addition to the high murder rate, other major crimes in Belize have also been on the rise. In 2022, there was a general increase in most major crime categories when compared to 2021. Notably, crimes that affect women and girls, such as sexual violence and unlawful sexual intercourse, increased significantly. Reported instances of rape doubled, while unlawful sexual intercourse rose by 30.4%.

The Belizean government has taken steps to address the high crime rate and improve citizen security. The Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries is responsible for law enforcement and the maintenance of order, with the Belize Police Department playing a primary role in internal security. However, there have been reports of abuses and human rights violations by security and prison officers, including arbitrary killings, arbitrary arrests, and the use of excessive force. The government has prosecuted some public officials who committed abuses, but there have been few successful prosecutions.

Overall, while Belize has made efforts to address its high crime rate and improve citizen security, it continues to struggle with a high murder rate and increasing major crimes, particularly those affecting women and girls. The country faces similar challenges to the rest of Central America, including gang violence, insecurity, and poverty, which contribute to its high crime rate.

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