Belize's Independence: A Year To Remember

Belize gained its independence from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981. The country had previously been a British colony since 1862, when it was known as British Honduras. The road to independence was a long one, marked by several stages of decolonisation, constitutional changes, and internal self-government. The process was complicated by a dispute with Guatemala over contested Belizean territory, which dated back to an 1859 treaty between Imperial Spain and Great Britain. Despite these challenges, Belize achieved full independence in 1981, with a British defence guarantee, and was admitted to the UN.

Belize's independence was recognised by the US on 29 October 1981

Belize's journey to independence was a long one, and it faced two major obstacles: British reluctance to grant independence, and Guatemala's claim to the territory. Belize had been a British colony since 1862, and in the 1960s, the US attempted to mediate the dispute between Belize and Guatemala over contested territory, but ultimately failed. In the 1970s, Belize took its case for self-determination to the international community, appealing to the United Nations and joining the Non-Aligned Movement.

By 1975, the Belizean and British governments, frustrated with dealing with the military-dominated regimes in Guatemala, agreed on a new strategy to take the case for self-determination to various international forums. This proved successful, and in November 1980, the UN passed a resolution demanding the independence of Belize.

Belize's independence came on 21 September 1981, without reaching an agreement with Guatemala, and about 1,500 British troops remained in Belize to deter any possible Guatemalan incursions. Guatemala refused to recognise Belize as a new nation, and it wasn't until the early 1990s that Guatemala formally recognised Belize as an independent state.

Guatemala refused to recognise Belize's independence due to a territorial dispute

Belize, previously known as British Honduras, became independent from the United Kingdom on 21 September 1981. Guatemala refused to recognise Belize's independence due to a territorial dispute that has its roots in the 17th century.

The Origins of the Dispute

The dispute between Belize and Guatemala can be traced back to the 1600s, when Britain and Spain signed several treaties regarding territories in the Americas. Both nations agreed that modern-day Belize was under Spanish sovereignty, but British settlers could use the land for specific purposes. The British settlers eventually expanded far past the boundaries set by the treaties. When the Spanish Empire fell, Guatemala claimed that it had inherited Spain's sovereign rights over the territory.

The Wyke-Aycinena Treaty (1859)

In 1859, Guatemala and Britain negotiated 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, tensions flared up again in the 20th century, with Guatemala periodically renewing its claims on the area.

Belize's Path to Independence

Despite the treaty, Belize and the British pursued independence, with the United Nations passing a resolution to guarantee Belizean independence. In 1964, Belize was granted self-government under a new constitution, and in 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize. However, the dispute with Guatemala remained unresolved.

Guatemala's Recognition of Belize

Guatemala eventually recognised Belize's independence in the early 1990s, but the territorial dispute continued. In 1999, Guatemala shifted its stance back to inheriting claims from the Spanish Empire, asserting that it was owed a significant portion of Belize's land mass. This claim amounted to roughly 53% of the country's territory.

The International Court of Justice

In 2008, Belize and Guatemala agreed to hold simultaneous referendums to send the issue to the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The referendums passed in both countries by May 2019, and as of 2022, both countries have submitted their initial briefs to the ICJ. The court is expected to rule on the dispute by 2025 at the earliest.

Belize's independence was granted on 21 September 1981

Belize, previously known as British Honduras, was a British colony from 1862 until it achieved independence in 1981. The road to independence was influenced by several factors, including the legacy of slavery and colonial rule, opposition from pro-colonial forces, and a territorial dispute with Guatemala.

The struggle for independence in Belize mirrored the journey of other British colonies in the Caribbean until the 1960s, but it was also shaped by unique circumstances. One key factor was the claim by Guatemala to the territory of Belize, which led to prolonged negotiations and international efforts to gain support for Belize's independence. Despite these challenges, Belize remained committed to achieving independence with its territory intact.

The Belizean government, led by Premier George Price of the People's United Party, played a crucial role in the independence movement. They launched an "internationalization effort" to gain international support for their claim to full independence. This campaign resulted in the first United Nations resolution on Belize being passed in 1975, with 110 votes in favor. While this initial support was significant, it also highlighted a weakness—none of the mainland Spanish-speaking Latin American countries had voted for Belize.

The breakthrough for Belize's independence came with the support of Panama's General Omar Torrijos, who lobbied for Belize's struggle at the Summit Meeting of the Non-Aligned Countries in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 1976. This led to Panama voting in favor of the Belizean resolution at the UN, marking a shift in Latin American support for Guatemala.

By November 1980, international support for Belize's independence had become virtually unanimous. A UN resolution called for Belize to achieve independence by the end of 1981, without any concessions or strings attached. Despite intense negotiations and pressure from the UK to make territorial concessions, the Belizean negotiators stood firm, resisting any compromise on their territory and sovereignty.

Finally, on 21 September 1981, Belize became an independent state, with full sovereignty and British troops stationed to defend against any potential aggression from Guatemala. This marked the culmination of a long and challenging journey toward self-governance and national unity.

Belize was a British colony from 1862 until 1981

The path to independence was long and marked by a unique international campaign against the irredentist claims of its neighbour, Guatemala. In the 1960s, the United States attempted to mediate a dispute between Belize and Guatemala over contested Belizean territory, which dated back to an 1859 treaty between Imperial Spain and Great Britain. However, the US ultimately failed to resolve the issue.

In the 1970s, Belize took its case for self-determination to the international community, appealing to the United Nations and joining the Non-Aligned Movement. Although the dispute between Guatemala and Great Britain remained unresolved, Belize became independent on September 21, 1981, with a British defence guarantee. It was admitted to the UN and retained its historical link with the UK by becoming a member of the Commonwealth.

Belize's independence was also hampered by internal political struggles. In 1954, the People's United Party (PUP) was formed, seeking constitutional reforms that expanded voting rights to all adults. The first election under universal suffrage was held in 1954 and was won by the PUP, beginning a three-decade period in which the party dominated the country's politics. However, progress towards independence was slowed by a Guatemalan claim to sovereignty over Belizean territory.

In 1964, Britain granted British Honduras self-government under a new constitution, and in 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize. Finally, in 1981, Belize achieved full independence from the UK.

The US established a consulate in Belize in 1847

Belize, a country on the northeastern coast of Central America, was a British colony from 1840 until it achieved independence on 21 September 1981.

The US established a consulate in Belize on 3 March 1847, when the country was still a British colony known as British Honduras. This marked the beginning of close and cordial relations between the two nations.

At the time, Belize was a small settlement with a diverse population of Creoles, Mestizos, Garifuna, Maya, and other groups. The US consulate would have been involved in promoting American interests and supporting American citizens in the region. The establishment of the consulate reflected the growing importance of Belize and the recognition of its strategic location in Central America.

The US-Belize relationship has been characterised by cooperation in various areas, including security, economic development, and the fight against transnational crime. The US has provided economic assistance to Belize, seeking to promote economic growth and democratic stability. Additionally, the two countries have worked together to address issues such as irregular migration and illicit narcotics trafficking.

The US has also played a significant role in strengthening Belize's security and military capabilities. The Belize Defense Force receives military assistance from the US, including training, medical assistance programs, and the construction and renovation of schools. The US was instrumental in establishing the Belize Coast Guard and continues to support its development.

The establishment of the consulate in 1847 laid the foundation for the enduring partnership between the US and Belize, which continues to evolve and strengthen over time.

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