The United States And Belize: A Friendship Forged In History

Belize and the United States have traditionally maintained close and cordial relations. The US was the first country to establish diplomatic relations with Belize following its independence from Britain in 1981. Since then, the two countries have collaborated on a range of issues, including security, prosperity, governance, democracy, human rights, migration management, and climate change. Belize is also the largest recipient of US economic assistance, receiving $2.5 million in bilateral economic and military aid in 2006.

The US and Belize also have strong economic ties, with the US being Belize's principal trading partner and major source of investment funds. The US is also home to the largest Belizean community outside of Belize, estimated to be around 70,000 strong.

The US is Belize's principal trading partner and major source of investment funds

The United States is Belize's principal trading partner and a major source of investment funds. In 2022, trade in goods between the two countries totalled $644.09 million. The US is also the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in various bilateral economic and military aid.

The US and Belize have a close and cordial relationship, with the US government committed to supporting Belize's economic growth and democratic political stability. Belize is a committed partner on US regional priorities, including security, prosperity, governance, democracy, human rights, migration management, and climate change.

The US is the leading source of foreign investment in Belize, particularly in the tourism sector. In 2011, tourist arrivals totalled 888,191, with most tourists coming from the US. The travel and tourism industry in 2011 directly contributed 350.6 million BZD (176 million USD) to Belize's GDP (12.0% of GDP).

Belize's economy is small and primarily based on agriculture, tourism, and services. The country's primary exports are citrus fruits, sugar, and bananas. The US is a critical market for these exports, with US trade preferences and preferential trading agreements benefiting Belize's sugar and banana industries.

In addition to tourism, significant US private investments are made in the energy, telecommunications, and agricultural sectors. US trade preferences have also expanded the apparel industry in Belize.

The US government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has provided substantial development assistance to Belize. Between 1983 and 1987, Belize received a total of $32 million in Economic Support Funds (ESF) from the US. The US military has also played a significant role in assisting Belize, including the establishment of the country's Coast Guard and the construction and renovation of schools.

The close economic relationship between the US and Belize is further strengthened by their shared membership in international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the World Bank.

Belize is home to the largest Belizean community outside of Belize, estimated to be 70,000 strong

Belize and the United States have a close and cordial relationship. The US is Belize's principal trading partner and a major source of investment funds. The US has been Belize's largest provider of economic assistance, contributing $2.5 million in various bilateral economic and military aid. Belize also benefits from USAID regional programs, and Peace Corps volunteers have served in Belize since 1962.

The US is home to the largest Belizean community outside of Belize, estimated to be 70,000 strong. The US also has a large population of Belizean Americans, with around 160,000 Belizeans living in the US, including 70,000 legal residents and naturalised citizens. Belizean Americans are Americans of Belizean descent. Many Belizean Americans are the descendants of the Creoles, the largest ethnic group in Belize until the 1980s. Since then, mass migration of Belizean Americans to the US, the UK, and the West Indies has changed the demographics of Belize forever.

Belizean Americans are concentrated in certain parts of the US, with large populations in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, and Houston. Belizean Americans have also settled in other parts of the country, including Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Atlanta. The community is diverse, with Belizean Americans of Creole, Mestizo, Garifuna, Mayan, Chinese, East Indian, and Lebanese descent, among others.

Belizean Americans have made significant contributions to American society and culture. They have excelled in various fields, including business, politics, entertainment, sports, and the arts. Belizean Americans have also played an important role in promoting cultural exchange and understanding between the two countries, sharing their rich cultural heritage and traditions with their new homeland.

The Belizean community in the US is closely connected to Belize and maintains strong ties to their country of origin. Many Belizean Americans are bilingual, speaking both English and Belize Creole, and some also speak Spanish or other indigenous languages. They celebrate Belize's Independence Day on September 21 and participate in Belizean cultural associations and organisations across the US.

The relationship between Belize and the US is mutually beneficial, with close cooperation in areas such as security, economic development, and the protection of democratic institutions. The US supports Belize's efforts to combat narcotics trafficking and strengthen its justice sector. Belize, in turn, plays a crucial role in managing the flow of irregular migrants to the US and advancing regional stability.

Overall, the US and Belize enjoy a strong partnership based on shared values and interests, and the Belizean community in the US serves as a bridge between the two nations, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening the bonds between them.

The US and Belize work together to strengthen border security and address transnational crime

The United States and Belize have traditionally maintained close and cordial relations. The US is Belize's principal trading partner and major source of investment funds. The US also provides the most economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in bilateral economic and military aid, as well as $110 million in development assistance over 13 years through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The US and Belize established diplomatic relations in 1981 after the latter gained independence from the UK.

International crime issues dominate the agenda of bilateral relations between the two countries. The US and Belize work together to strengthen border security and address transnational crime. The US seeks to strengthen citizen security and improve Belize's capacity to confront criminal organizations. US programs assist Belize in professionalizing its police force, strengthening its justice sector, and improving its border security capacity. The US also helps to fortify Belizean civil society, improve health security and government service delivery, and build capacity within both civil society and the government civil service.

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. Both countries work closely to fight illicit narcotics trafficking and control the flow of illegal migrants to the US through Belize. The US military helped establish the Belize Coast Guard and continues to play a role in building its capacity. The US also regularly participates in military training and exercises with the Belize Defense Force, which receives US military assistance.

Belize's geographical position makes it an ideal passage for human trafficking throughout Central America. Victims are recruited and exploited both in the country and abroad, with females, children, and migrants from Central America, Mexico, and Asia being the most at-risk groups. The long-standing border dispute between Belize and Guatemala has contributed to the country's vulnerability to human smuggling and irregular entry. The Northern El Corozal border crossing is often used to smuggle migrants into Mexico, while the El Arenal crossing is primarily used by Cuban migrants.

Belize is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations

Belize's population is diverse, with around 48% Mestizos (Maya-Spanish), 25% Creoles (Afro-European), and the rest including Garifuna (Afro-Carib), Mayans, whites or Caucasians, Mennonites, East Indians, and people of Middle Eastern descent. It is bordered by Mexico and Guatemala, and is the only Central American country to have English as its official language. Belize is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy with a bicameral National Assembly, and its legal system is modelled on English common law.

Belize has close and cordial relations with the United States, which is its principal trading partner and a major source of investment funds. The US and Belize work together on issues such as border security, addressing transnational crime, and managing the flow of irregular migrants to the US through Belize. The US is also the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in bilateral economic and military aid. Belize is a member of several international organisations that also include the US, such as the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, the World Trade Organization, and the International Maritime Organization.

Belize and the US co-hosted the Anniversary Ministerial of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection in June 2023

Belize and the US have traditionally maintained close and cordial relations. The US is Belize's principal trading partner and a major source of investment funds. The US also provides economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in bilateral economic and military aid. The US and Belize also work together to fight illicit narcotics trafficking and control the flow of illegal migrants to the US through Belize.

In June 2023, the two countries co-hosted the Anniversary Ministerial of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection. The meeting was held at the World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C., and was co-hosted by US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Belizean Foreign Minister Eamon Courtenay. The event commemorated the one-year anniversary of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, a landmark regional commitment responding to historic levels of irregular migration and forced displacement in the Americas.

During the meeting, Secretary Blinken highlighted the achievements of the past year and discussed next steps for ensuring humane migration management and protection in the region. The endorsing countries reaffirmed their shared goals, including promoting stability and assistance for communities impacted by migration, expanding lawful pathways for migration, and managing borders humanely. They also discussed the impact of climate change on migration and displacement and committed to promoting respect for human rights and dignity for all, regardless of immigration status.

The US and Belize have a history of collaboration on migration-related issues, with Belize supporting the US regional approach under the Strategy to Address the Root Causes of Migration. Their partnership in this area includes strengthening border security, addressing transnational crime, and humanely managing the flow of irregular migrants. Belize's leadership of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) in December 2023 further underscores its commitment to addressing international migration through multilateral cooperation and respect for human rights.

The co-hosting of the Anniversary Ministerial of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection in June 2023 reflects the strong and collaborative relationship between Belize and the US, particularly in addressing shared challenges related to migration and displacement in the region.

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