Foreign relations of Belize

Updated on Sep 21, 2024

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Belize maintains 14 embassies to foreign countries, one consulate, and three missions to international organizations. In 1990, Belize became a member of the Organization of American States.

Latin America

To strengthen its potential for economic and political development Belize has sought to build closer ties with the Spanish-speaking countries of Central America to complement its historical ties to the English-speaking Caribbean states. Recent foreign policy initiatives include joining with the other Central American countries in signing the CONCAUSA Agreement on regional sustainable development and becoming a full member of the Central American Integration System (SICA) Belize is a member of CARICOM which was founded in 1973.

Argentina

Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 8, 1992.

In 2013 both countries have an agreement on Technical cooperation.

Argentina is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City.

Brazil

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 March 1983.

Colombia

On February 15, 1982, formal relations were established. Colombia's embassy in Belize closed in 2002 in order to cut down on costs though the embassy of Colombia in El Salvador is also concurrent to Belize. On April 17, 2013, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister met with the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia in order to strengthen relations.

Cuba

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1995.

Dominican Republic

Belize has an embassy in Santo Domingo. The Dominican Republic is represented in Belize through a non-resident ambassador in Santo Domingo and an honorary consulate in Belmopan.

Both countries are members of the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Group of 77.

Dominica

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1981.

Both countries are full members of both Commonwealth of Nations and Association of Caribbean States.

Guatemala

Belize's principal external concern has been the dispute involving the Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory. Initially a dispute between formerly Spanish Guatemala and the United Kingdom's colony of British Honduras, Guatemala continued its claim after Belizean independence in 1981; it recognized its neighbour's independence one decade later, in 1991. The dispute remains unresolved.

Mexico

Diplomatic relations between Mexico and Belize were established in 1981.

Mexico has an embassy in Belmopan.

Belize has an embassy in Mexico City.

Both countries are members of the Association of Caribbean States and the Organization of American States.

Nicaragua

Diplomatic relations between Nicaragua and Belize were established in 1981.

Nicaragua has an embassy in Belize City.

Belize is represented in Nicaragua by its embassy in Guatemala City.

Both countries are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Central American Integration System and the Organization of American States.

Panama

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 December 1981.

Saint Lucia

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1981.

Both countries are full members of both Commonwealth of Nations and Association of Caribbean States.

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1981.

Both countries are full members of both Commonwealth of Nations and Association of Caribbean States.

Saint Vincent and Grenadines

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 21 September 1981.

Both countries are full members of both Commonwealth of Nations and Association of Caribbean States.

Algeria

Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 28, 2001.

Botswana

Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 28, 2008.

Morocco

Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 3, 2001.

Seychelles

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 September 1991.

South Africa

Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 14, 1997.

Belize does not have any representation in South African.

South African is represented in Belize by its High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica.

Tunisia

Both countries have passed a number of bilateral agreements.

India

India has a Honorary Consulate in Belize City.

Belize maintains a Honorary Consulate in New Delhi.

Indonesia

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 July 2014.

Iran

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 November 1992.

Israel

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1983.

Belize is represented in Israel through its Embassy in London.

Israeli is represented in Israel through its embassy in San Salvador.

Since 2011, both countries have an AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL AND THE GOVERNMENT OF BELIZE ON VISA EXEMPTION FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC, SERVICE AND NATIONAL PASSPORTS.

Japan

Both countries established diplomatic relation in November 1982.

Japan is represented in Belize through its embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.

Kazakhstan

Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 7, 2013.

Kuwait

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 September 2006.

Maldives

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 February 2000.

Both countries are full members of Commonwealth of Nations.

Oman

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 March 2006.

Pakistan

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 2015.

Both countries are member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Palestine

Under the previous premiership of Said Musa, Belize remained a staunch supporter of Palestinian rights and shunned relations with Israel due to the latter's military and intelligence support for Guatemala. Since the election of Dean Barrow in 2008, however, relations with Israel have improved considerably. In June 2011, Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington met with Israeli envoy Danny Ayalon to discuss an upcoming resolution in September aimed at recognising a Palestinian state. Following the meeting, Ayalon claimed that he had gained the support of Belize in opposing the resolution. However, on September 9, the Belizean Foreign Ministry issued an official statement recognizing the State of Palestine with the borders prior to the Six Day War.

South Korea

The establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Belize started on April 14, 1987.

Turkey

The Turkish Embassy in Mexico City is accredited to Belize and Turkey has an Honorary Consul in Belize City.

Belize has an Honorary Consulate in Izmir.

Turkmenistan

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 11 September 1996.

Vietnam

Both countries established diplomatic relation on January 4, 1995.

Armenia

Both countries established diplomatic relation on February 12, 1999.

Bulgaria

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1994.

Bulgaria is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City.

Croatia

Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 23, 1996.

Cyprus

Both countries established diplomatic relations on July 21, 2000.

Cyprus is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico.

Both countries are members of Commonwealth of Nations.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City and has an honorary consulate.

Belize has an honorary consulate in Prague.

Estonia

Both countries established diplomatic relations on May 5, 1999.

Estonia has an honorary consulate in Belize.

Finland

Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 19, 1997.

Finland is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City and an honorary consulate in Belize City.

France

France is represented in Belize through its embassy in El Salvador.

Georgia

Both countries established diplomatic relation on October 1, 2015.

Germany

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1982.

Germany is represented in Belize through its embassy in Guatemala.

Greece

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 4 September 1986.

Belize's Embassy in Mexico has parallel accreditation for Greece. Belize has an Honorary Consulate in Athens since 1992.

Greece does not have any representation in Belize, its embassy in Mexico is also accredited to Belize.

Hungary

Hungary is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City.

Iceland

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 7 July 2004.

Ireland

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 2000.

Italy

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1982.

Belize has 2 honorary consulates in Palermo and Milano.

Italy is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City and an honorary consulate.

Kosovo

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 April 2016.

Latvia

Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 3, 2005.

Lithuania

Both countries established diplomatic relations on December 30, 2004.

Macedonia

Both countries established diplomatic relations on January 25, 1996.

Malta

Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 1, 2004.

Norway

Since 2011, Belize and Norway have an Agreement concerning the exchange of information relating to tax matters they had signed in 2010.

Romania

Both countries established diplomatic relation on March 25, 1993.

Russia

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on June 25, 1991. Belize immediately recognized Russia as the USSR's successor after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Russia is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City and an honorary consulate in Belize City.

Slovakia

Slovakia is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City.

Slovenia

Belize is represented in Slovenia through its embassy in Vienna.

Sweden

Sweden is represented in Belize through its embassy in Stockholm and an honorary consulate in Belmopan.

Switzerland

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1988.

Switzerland is represented in Belize through its embassy in Mexico City and since 1996 an honorary consulate in Belize City.

Ukraine

Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1999.

United Kingdom

Belize is a member of the Commonwealth and was granted independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. Formerly known as British Honduras, the British maintained a garrison in Belize well into the 1990s, until Guatemala, which has always claimed sovereignty of the country, signed a treaty recognising Belize's independence. The United Kingdom maintains a training centre for the army in Belize.

On March 3, 2012, Prince Harry visited Belize on a tour of Commonwealth countries in the region as the Queen's representative in her Diamond Jubilee, making this his first solo royal tour. There he renamed Zennia Boulevard (also known as Cohune Walk Boulevard) in the capital to "Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Boulevard", in honour of his grandmother.

The United Kingdom has a High Commission in Belmopan, whilst Belize also has one in London.

Canada

Canada is represented by the High Commission of Canada to Belize, located in Guatemala City.

Belize is represented in Canada through an Embassy in Washington, D.C. and a consulate in Calgary.

Both countries are member of the Commonwealth of Nations and of the Organization of American States.

United States

Belize-United States relations have traditionally been close and cordial. The United States is Belize's principal trading partner and major source of investment funds. It is also home to the largest Belizean community outside Belize, estimated to be 70,000 strong. Because Belize's economic growth and accompanying democratic political stability are important U.S. objectives, Belize benefits from the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative.

As a member of CARICOM Belize strongly backed efforts by the United States to implement United Nations Security Council Resolution 940 designed to facilitate the departure of Haiti's de facto authorities from power. The country agreed to contribute military personnel to the Multinational Task Force which restored the democratically elected Government of Haiti in October 1994 and to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH).

Belize is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the American military (as covered under Article 98).

International crime issues dominate the agenda of bilateral relations between the United States and Belize. The United States is working closely with the Government of Belize to fight illicit narcotics trafficking, and both governments seek to control the flow of illegal migrants to the United States through Belize. Belize and the United States brought into force a stolen vehicle treaty, an extradition treaty, and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between 2001 and 2003.

The United States is the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in various bilateral economic and military aid programs to Belize in FY 2006. Of this amount, nearly $500,000 was provided by the U.S. Military Liaison Office. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) closed its Belize office in August 1996 after a 13-year program during which USAID provided $110 million worth of development assistance to Belize. Belize still benefits from USAID regional programs. In addition, during the past 42 years, almost 2,000 Peace Corps volunteers have served in Belize. As of April 2007, the Peace Corps had 58 volunteers working in Belize.

Until the end of 2002, Voice of America operated a medium-wave radio relay station in Punta Gorda that broadcast to the neighboring countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. The U.S. military has a diverse and growing assistance program in Belize that included the construction and renovation of several schools and youth hostels, medical assistance programs, and drug reduction programs. Private North American investors continue to play a key role in Belize's economy, particularly in the tourism sector.