Belize's Border Balancing Act

Belize's borders are demarcated by a combination of natural features and man-made boundaries. To the north, the Belize-Mexico border follows the course of the Hondo River, separating Belize from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. This border was agreed upon in 1893 and finalised in 1897, with the Mexican government recognising British governance of the territory in exchange for a promise to refrain from arming the Maya.

To the south and west, the Belize-Guatemala border is defined by the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty of 1859, which establishes an almost straight line close to the 89th meridian west. This border has been disputed by Guatemala, which claims that Britain failed to comply with economic assistance provisions in the treaty. However, diplomatic relations were established in 1991 when Guatemala officially recognised Belize's independence.

The Belize-Guatemala border is an almost straight line 266km long, separating Belize from Guatemala to the west and south

The border between Belize and Guatemala is defined in Article I of the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty of 1859, which states:

> Beginning at the mouth of the River Sarstoon in the Bay of Honduras, and proceeding up the mid-channel thereof to Gracias a Dios Falls; then turning to the right and continuing by a line drawn direct from Gracias a Dios Falls to Garbutt's Falls on the River Belize, and from Garbutt's Falls due north until it strikes the Mexican frontier.

There is one main highway crossing at Benque Viejo del Carmen, Cayo District, Belize, and Melchor de Mencos, Peten, Guatemala, where Guatemala Highway CA-13 meets the George Price (Western) Highway, connecting to Belize City and Belmopan. The border communities of Arenal and Melchor de Mencos are separated by a football field that lies directly on the border.

The Belize-Mexico border is 250km long and follows the course of the Hondo River

The Belize–Mexico border is 250km long and follows the course of the Hondo River. The modern boundary was agreed to in 1893 and finalised in 1897. The border separates Belize from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo.

The border between Mexico and Belize was difficult to explore because of its remote location, specifically for the Mexican territory. The British colony of British Honduras, now Belize, was able to occupy the region as the region's sparse population made it difficult for Mexico to recognise British possession of the territory until the late nineteenth century.

The Mexican government wanted to end arms smuggling from Belizean Maya supplied by rebels during the Caste War. As a result, the government of Porfirio Diaz created a Federal Territory which had previously belonged to the State of Yucatan. They later formed the Territory of Quintana Roo and decided to negotiate with the British government to finally fix the common border. They agreed to recognise British governance for the territory in return for Britain's promise to refrain from arming the Maya.

The border starts at Boca Bacalar Chico, a narrow channel that separates the southern tip of the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and Ambergris Caye. It then runs through Chetumal Bay in a broken line up to the mouth of the Hondo River. The Hondo River empties into Chetumal Bay and is the border between the two countries. The border follows the Hondo River through its deepest channel and then along its tributary, Blue Creek, until it reaches the meridian of Garbutt's Falls. From this point, it runs directly south to 17° 49' N latitude, the border established between Mexico and Guatemala.

The Hondo River is one of two rivers, along with the Sarstoon River, that delineate much of the country's northern and southern boundaries.

The Belize-Guatemala border dispute: Guatemala claims Belize as its 23rd department, citing a breach of the 1859 Anglo-Guatemalan Treaty

The Belize-Guatemala border dispute is a long-standing conflict that has its roots in the 17th century when British settlers first arrived on the coast of Central America. Over time, Britain and Spain signed several treaties regarding territories in the Americas, agreeing that modern-day Belize was under Spanish sovereignty, although British settlers could use the land. After the Spanish Empire fell, Guatemala claimed it inherited Spain's sovereign rights over the territory.

In 1859, the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty was negotiated between Guatemala and Britain, recognising British sovereignty over the region and forming the modern-day boundary lines of Belize. This treaty, also known as the Anglo-Guatemalan Treaty, included an article (Article 7) that stated both parties would make their best efforts to build a road from Guatemala City to the Atlantic Coast. However, this road was never built, and Guatemala blamed Britain for the breach of treaty, arguing that the treaty was one of cession and thus, they were entitled to their land back.

In 1946, Guatemala officially tried to nullify the 1859 treaty, and Britain suggested taking the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which Guatemala rejected. Tensions escalated with Guatemala amassing troops along the border and Britain deploying its military to secure the region. Despite intermittent negotiations, the dispute remained unresolved when Belize gained independence in 1981. Guatemala recognised Belize's independence in the early 1990s but continued to claim all or part of its territory.

In 1999, Guatemala shifted its stance, basing its claim on inheriting rights from the Spanish Empire and the Federal Republic of Central America. This claim amounted to approximately 53% of Belize's landmass. In response, both countries stationed troops at the border, implementing a one-kilometre "adjacency zone" on either side of the 1859 treaty borders.

In 2008, Belize and Guatemala agreed to hold simultaneous referendums to decide whether to send the issue to the ICJ. The referendums passed in both countries by 2019, and as of 2022, both nations have submitted their initial briefs to the ICJ. While a ruling is not expected until 2025 at the earliest, the ICJ is likely to rule in Belize's favour given the historical recognition of the 1859 treaty and Belize's boundaries.

The Belize-Mexico border treaty: signed in 1893, the treaty recognised British governance of the territory in return for a promise to refrain from arming the Maya

The Belize-Mexico border treaty, also known as the Mariscal-Spencer Treaty, was signed on July 8, 1893, in Mexico City, with an additional convention added on April 7, 1897. The treaty recognised British governance of the territory in return for a promise to refrain from arming the Maya.

The border between Mexico and Belize was difficult to explore due to its remote location, especially for the Mexican territory. The sparse population of the region allowed the British colony of British Honduras, now Belize, to occupy the area. However, Mexico did not recognise British possession of the territory until the late nineteenth century. The Mexican government wanted to put an end to arms smuggling from Belizean Maya supplied by rebels during the Caste War.

As a result, the government of Porfirio Diaz created a Federal Territory that had previously belonged to the State of Yucatan. They later formed the Territory of Quintana Roo and decided to negotiate with the British government to fix the common border. The treaty set out the border between the Mexican Republic and British Honduras, in the south of Mexico, with the division line running from the Boca Bacalar Chico straight through Chetumal Bay and along the Hondo River until it intersected with the Mexican border just north of Mexico's border with Guatemala. The border is approximately 155 miles, or 250 kilometres, long.

The treaty consisted of four articles: the first set the upper border, the second required the United Kingdom to stop arming Mayan rebels, the third laid out the obligation of both states to prevent Native Americans from gradually encroaching into the territory of the neighbouring country, and the fourth required ratification of the treaty by the respective governments.

The treaty was significant in de-escalating tensions between the Mexican Republic, local indigenous populations, and England by establishing a territorial boundary between the two nations' holdings. The treaty was also important as it effectively established the modern territory of the nations of Mexico and Belize, with both countries continuing to affirm their goodwill towards one another, especially on the anniversary of the treaty.

Belize's borders: the country is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country's borders were demarcated in the 19th century, though Guatemala continues to dispute its border with Belize.

Belize is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the west and south, and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country covers an area of 22,960 square kilometres (8,865 square miles) and has a population of 397,483. It is the least populated and least densely populated country in Central America. Belize's capital is Belmopan, and its largest city is the namesake city of Belize City.

The Belize–Mexico border is 250 kilometres (160 miles) long and mostly follows the course of the Hondo River. The border separates Belize from the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The modern boundary was agreed to in 1893 and finalised in 1897.

The Belize–Guatemala border is an almost straight line 266 kilometres (165 miles) long, close to the 89th meridian west. The border has been disputed by Guatemala, which claims that the 1859 treaty that defined the border is void because Britain failed to comply with economic assistance provisions. The situation was partially resolved in 1991 when Guatemala officially recognised Belize's independence and diplomatic relations were established.

Belize's borders were demarcated in the 19th century. The Belize–Guatemala border was defined in the 1859 Wyke–Aycinena Treaty, which established the border as a straight line from the mouth of the Sarstoon River in the Bay of Honduras to Gracias a Dios Falls, then turning north to Garbutt's Falls on the Belize River, and continuing north until it reaches the Mexican border. The Belize–Mexico border was agreed to in 1893 and finalised in 1897.

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