Global Recognition Of Belize's Sovereignty

Belize is recognised by many countries around the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Guatemala, and Mexico. Belize maintains diplomatic relations with a variety of countries, including Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, and the United Arab Emirates. Belize has sought to strengthen its economic and political development by building closer ties with Central American countries and complementing its historical ties with Caribbean states. The country has also been a member of various international organisations, such as the Organization of American States, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Central American Integration System.

Belize's diplomatic relations with other countries

Belize has diplomatic relations with countries in North, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia. Belize maintains 14 embassies to foreign countries, one consulate, and three missions to international organisations.

Belize has sought to strengthen its potential for economic and political development by building closer ties with Spanish-speaking countries in Central America, to complement its historical ties to English-speaking Caribbean states. Belize is a member of CARICOM, which was founded in 1973, and in 1990, it became a member of the Organization of American States. Belize is also a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, having joined in 1981.

Belize has passed a number of bilateral agreements with other countries, including South Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Venezuela, Japan, South Korea, India, Israel, and Turkey.

Belize also recognises the Republic of China (Taiwan) as the sole legitimate government of China and has an embassy in Taipei.

Belize has a history of strong relations with the United States, which recognised its independence in 1981. The US is Belize's principal trading partner and a major source of investment funds, and the two countries have passed a number of bilateral treaties, including a stolen vehicle treaty, an extradition treaty, and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty. The US is also the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize.

Belize's principal external concern has been a dispute involving a Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory, which has been ongoing since Belize achieved independence in 1981. Guatemala recognised Belize's independence in 1991, but the dispute remains unresolved.

Recognition of Belize's independence

Belize's independence from the United Kingdom was recognised by the United States on 29 October 1981, when the Consulate General Belize was raised to Embassy status. Belize had achieved full independence from the UK on 21 September 1981, but its neighbour Guatemala refused to recognise the new nation because of a longstanding territorial dispute. Guatemala finally recognised Belize's independence in 1991 or 1992, but the border dispute remains unresolved.

Belize has sought to strengthen its potential for economic and political development by building ties with Spanish-speaking Central American countries, to complement its historical links to English-speaking Caribbean states. Belize is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Organization of American States, the Central American Integration System, and CARICOM. It maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries in North, Central and South America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia.

Belize's membership of international organisations

Belize is a member of several international organisations, including:

• The Commonwealth of Nations
• The United Nations
• The Organization of American States
• The Central American Integration System (SICA)
• The Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
• The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ)
• The Association of Caribbean States (ACS)
• The World Trade Organization (WTO)
• The African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP)
• The Agency for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL)
• The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB)
• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB)
• The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
• The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• The International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU)
• The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (ICRM)
• The International Development Association (IDA)
• The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• The International Finance Corporation (IFC)
• The International Labour Organization (ILO)
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF)
• The International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• The International Organization for Migration (IOM)
• The International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
• The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
• The Latin American Economic System (LAES)
• The United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNECLAC)
• The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• The Universal Postal Union (UPU)
• The World Confederation of Labour (WCL)
• The World Health Organization (WHO)
• The International Criminal Court

The role of the UK in Belize's independence

Belize's independence from the UK was a long and complex process. The UK's role in Belize's independence was marked by a reluctance to grant self-governance to the territory, and an ongoing dispute with Guatemala over the territory's sovereignty.

Belize, then known as British Honduras, was a British colony from 1840 and a Crown colony from 1862. The UK's governance of Belize was marked by a reluctance to establish a formal government, for fear of provoking a Spanish attack. This allowed settlers to establish their own laws and forms of government. However, the UK did appoint superintendents and, later, lieutenant governors to oversee the territory.

In the 19th century, the UK passed several constitutional changes to expand representative government in Belize. In 1854, the UK established a Legislative Assembly, which was to have 18 elected members and three official members appointed by the superintendent. However, voters had to meet certain property requirements to be eligible, which reinforced the restrictive nature of the legislature.

In 1964, the UK granted British Honduras internal self-government under a new constitution. In 1973, the official name of the territory was changed from British Honduras to Belize, and full independence was granted on 21 September 1981.

The UK's role in Belize's independence was also influenced by a dispute with Guatemala over the territory's sovereignty. Guatemala claimed sovereignty over all or part of Belizean territory, dating back to an 1859 treaty between Imperial Spain and Great Britain. This dispute continued even after Belize achieved independence, with about 1,500 British troops remaining in Belize to deter possible Guatemalan incursions. It was not until 1991 that Guatemala recognised Belize's independence, and the dispute remains unresolved.

The role of the US in Belize's independence

Belize's road to independence was a long and arduous one, coloured by a claim on its territory by Guatemala and firm opposition by the United Democratic Party (UDP). The Belizean government, led by the People's United Party (PUP) under Premier George Price, decided to wage an international campaign for independence, with the support of the Caribbean Community and the British Commonwealth of Nations. In 1975, the first United Nations resolution on Belize was passed, with 110 votes in favour, 9 against, and 16 abstentions.

The United States initially abstained on the Belize resolutions and supported Guatemala's claim. However, in 1981, the US caved to international pressure and voted in favour of Belize's independence. The US recognised Belize's independence on 29 October 1981, and diplomatic relations were established with the country's new embassy. The US has since played a significant role in supporting Belize's security, prosperity, governance, democracy, human rights, migration management, and climate change efforts.

The US has provided economic and military assistance to Belize, including support for the Belize Defence Force and the establishment of the Coast Guard. The US has also worked closely with Belize to combat narcotics, human trafficking, and transnational organised crime. Additionally, US good governance programming has focused on strengthening civil society, improving health security, and building capacity within the civil service.

Today, the US and Belize maintain strong bilateral relations. The US is Belize's principal trading partner and a major source of investment funds. The two countries work together to advance regional stability and address shared challenges, such as transnational crime and climate change. Belize is also a member of several international organisations alongside the US, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, and the World Trade Organization.

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