Belize's Independence: A Country's Sovereignty

Belize is an independent country in Central America. It was formerly known as British Honduras and was the United Kingdom's last colony on the American mainland. Belize gained its independence from the UK on 21 September 1981.

Belize's independence from the UK

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, was the United Kingdom's last colony on the American mainland. It became a British colony in 1840 and a Crown colony in 1862. Belize gained its independence from the UK on 21 September 1981.

The road to Belize's independence was a long one, coloured by a claim on the part of Guatemala to Belizean territory and firm opposition by the United Democratic Party (UDP). The Belizean government, under the stewardship of Premier George Price, leader of the People's United Party (PUP), decided to wage a campaign for independence on the international front. This campaign became known as "the internationalization effort" and was spearheaded by two young Belize attorneys, Said Musa and Assad Shoman.

Belize received immediate support from the countries of the Caribbean Community and the British Commonwealth of Nations. In 1975, the first United Nations resolution on Belize was passed by the General Assembly. This large initial support was made possible thanks to the undertaking by the Non-Aligned Movement, at its Foreign Minister's Conference in Peru that year, to commit its total support to Belize. Although the United Nations support was substantial, it showed up a serious weakness—none of the mainland Spanish-speaking Latin American countries had voted for Belize, and the USA continued to support Guatemala by abstaining.

Belize's campaign for independence gained momentum when Panama voted in favour of the Belizean resolution at the UN, despite having previously been committed to supporting Guatemala's claim. Panama's leader, General Omar Torrijos, became a formidable campaigner for Belize in Latin America and was instrumental in securing the support of many other countries. Another breakthrough came with the victory of the Popular Sandinista Revolution in Nicaragua, which brought an important new vote for Belize at the UN and a committed ally.

By November 1980, international support for Belize was virtually unanimous. A UN resolution called for independence for Belize without strings attached and with security by the end of 1981. The last bulwark of Guatemalan support fell when the Organization of American States, traditionally controlled by Washington, endorsed the UN resolution.

Despite this solid mounting support for Belize, the government continued its efforts to find a peaceful negotiated settlement to the controversy. However, meetings held in 1981 proved that the Guatemalan government was still demanding too high a price for dropping its claim. During much of 1981, the UK pressed Belize in negotiations with Guatemala to make concessions on territory and sovereignty. At the final round of negotiations in London in March, the Belize negotiators were subjected to intense pressure from the British to concede the cession of cayes and waters, but they resisted.

Belize became an independent state on 21 September 1981, with all its territory, full sovereignty, and British troops stationed there to defend against any possible attack from Guatemala. The Guatemalan claim remained, however, and it was clear that a resolution would have to be found.

Guatemala's claim to Belizean territory

In 1859, Britain and Guatemala signed the Wyke-Aycinena Treaty regarding the disputed area. The treaty stated that Guatemala would recognise British sovereignty over the region and formed the modern-day boundary lines of Belize. However, the treaty also included an article about building a mutually beneficial road, which was never constructed. Guatemala has used this broken promise as justification for the treaty to be void.

In 1931, an exchange of notes between the UK and Guatemala reaffirmed the borders from the 1859 treaty. These notes show that both governments wanted to finish the demarcation process of the border and that they constructed concrete monument markers to define "part of the boundary line".

In 1939, the Guatemalan government unilaterally abrogated the treaty, claiming that the UK was in breach of Article 7. This was followed by a threat of invasion, leading to a British military presence being established in Belize.

In 1999, Guatemala's Foreign Minister sent a letter to the Prime Minister of Belize, reasserting Guatemala's claim. Guatemala asserted that it had inherited Spain's 1494 and 18th-century claims on Belize and was owed more than half of Belize's land mass, from the Sibun River south. This claim amounts to roughly 53% of the country's territory and includes significant portions of four districts: Belize, Cayo, Stann Creek, and Toledo.

Belize's diverse population

Belize is a small but diverse nation, formerly known as British Honduras, with a population of around 397,483 (2022) and 410,990 (2022). The country's population is made up of a variety of ethnic and cultural groups, including Mestizo-Hispanic/Latino (51.7%), Creole (25.2%), Maya (9.8%), Garifuna (4%), East Indian (1.5%), and others (7.8%). The population is predominantly multilingual, with English being the official language, followed by Spanish, Mayan languages, German dialects, and Garifuna.

The country's diverse population can be attributed to its history as a former British colony, attracting settlers and pirates from England, Scotland, and other European countries. Additionally, Belize has a significant indigenous population, including the Maya, who have inhabited the region since ancient times, and the Garifuna, who have a unique mix of West/Central African, Arawak, and Island Carib ancestry.

Belize's population is also diverse in terms of religion, with Roman Catholicism being the largest religious group (40.1%), followed by various Protestant denominations (31.8%). The country's diverse society is reflected in its cuisine, music, and cultural traditions, making it a unique and fascinating nation in Central America.

The country's economy

Belize is a developing country with a free-market economy. It has a small, private enterprise economy that is primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and services.

Agriculture

Belize's primary exports are citrus fruits, sugar, and bananas. The country has about 8,090 square kilometres of arable land, but only a small fraction of this is under cultivation. Sugar is the chief crop, accounting for nearly half of exports, while the banana industry is the largest employer. Belize also produces maize, kidney beans, rice, papaya, and soy.

Tourism

Tourism is a major source of foreign currency for Belize. The country's attractions include its wildlife, Mayan ruins, and one of the longest barrier reefs in the world. In 2012, tourist arrivals totalled 917,869, and tourist receipts amounted to over $1.3 billion. In 2021, tourist arrivals totalled 888,191 (mostly from the U.S.) and tourist receipts amounted to $260 million.

Trade

Belize has a substantial trade deficit in goods. Its main exports are seafood, sugar, citrus products, bananas, and clothing, while its chief imports include machinery, transport equipment, food, fuels and lubricants, and chemicals. The country's major trading partners include the United States, the United Kingdom, China, Mexico, Curaçao, Panama, and members of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM).

Energy

Belize has a unique cultural heritage and is the only English-speaking country in Central America. It has an export-oriented economy that benefits from its proximity to the large markets of the United States and Mexico. Belize's economy has traditionally depended on forestry, with logwood used to make dye being the country's initial main export. However, the supply outstripped the demand, especially as Europeans developed synthetic dyes, which were less expensive. Loggers then turned to mahogany, which grew in abundance in the country's forests.

Finance

Belize is considered a tax haven. The Central Bank of Belize oversees the country's banks and issues the country's currency, the Belize dollar, which is fixed to the U.S. dollar at a rate of 2:1.

Belize's history

Belize, formerly known as British Honduras, was the last British colony on the American mainland. It achieved independence on the 21st of September 1981, but it has retained its historical link with the United Kingdom through membership in the Commonwealth.

Mayan Civilisation

The history of Belize dates back thousands of years. The Maya civilisation spread into the area between 1500 BC and 300 AD and flourished until about 1200 AD. The Maya population began to decline long before the Europeans arrived, and the remaining Maya lived in politically decentralised societies. Several Mayan ruin sites, including Cahal Pech, Caracol, and Lamanai, reflect the advanced civilisation and dense population of that period.

European Exploration and Settlement

European contact began in 1502-04 when Christopher Columbus sailed along the Gulf of Honduras. English settlers began exploring the region in 1638. Spain and Britain both laid claim to the land until Britain defeated the Spanish in the Battle of St. George's Caye in 1798.

Colonial Rule

In the 18th century, the Spanish attacked British settlements whenever the two powers were at war. The Spanish never settled in the region, however, and the British always returned to expand their trade and settlement. The 1763 Treaty of Paris conceded to Britain the right to cut logwood but asserted Spanish sovereignty over the territory. The 1783 Treaty of Versailles and the 1786 Convention of London further expanded these concessions to include mahogany.

In 1825, Mexico was officially recognised by Britain and in 1826 abandoned any claims over Belize. In 1833, slavery was abolished in the British Empire, and in 1838, slavery was abolished in Belize. In 1836, after the emancipation of Central America from Spanish rule, the British claimed the right to administer the region.

Road to Independence

In 1854, a constitution formally created a Legislative Assembly of 18 members, who were elected by a limited franchise. In 1862, the Settlement of Belize in the Bay of Honduras was declared a British colony called British Honduras, and the Crown's representative was elevated to a lieutenant governor, subordinate to the governor of Jamaica. In 1871, British Honduras became a crown colony, and the Legislative Assembly was abolished.

In 1954, constitutional reforms gave Belize limited autonomy, and in 1964, a new constitution granted Belize full autonomy and introduced universal adult suffrage and a two-chamber parliament. In 1973, the country changed its name from British Honduras to Belize. Belize became independent in 1981, but Guatemala refused to recognise it due to a territorial dispute. In 1992, Guatemala recognised Belize's independence, although the territorial dispute remains unresolved.

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