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.
Diplomatic relations
List of countries with which Belize maintains diplomatic relations with:
On 15 February 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 17 April 2013, the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister met with the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia in order to strengthen relations.[37]
Both countries are full members of the Association of Caribbean States, the Organization of American States and the United Nations.
Dominican Republic is accredited to Belize from a non-resident ambassador in Santo Domingo and maintains an honorary consulate in Belmopan.
Both countries are members of the Association of Caribbean States, CARIFORUM, the Organization of American States (OAS), and Group of 77, and the United Nations.
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.
Both countries are full members of the Association of Caribbean States, the Central American Integration System, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations.
Both countries are members of the Association of Caribbean States, the Central American Integration System, the Organization of American States, and the United Nations.
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).
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 radiorelay 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.
11 March 1985 (Diplomatic relations severed 15 November 2023)
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1983.[40]
Belize is represented in Israel through its embassy in London.[41]
Israeli is represented in Belize through its embassy in San Salvador.[42]
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.[43]
Both countries severed diplomatic relations on 15 November 2023 amid the Gaza war.[44]
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.[45]
Belize recognizes the Republic of China (ROC, commonly known as Taiwan)[47] as the sole legitimate government of China. Relations were established between Belize and the ROC in 1989.
Both countries have established diplomatic relations on 25 June 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.
^Daily Report: Latin America. Vol. 82. United States. Foreign Broadcast Information Service. 1982. p. 56.
^Latin America Report. Vol. 59/85. Executive Office of the President], Federal Broadcast Information Service, Joint Publications Research Service. 1985. p. 69.
^"Archived copy"(PDF). www.mfa.gov.bz. Archived from the original(PDF) on 10 January 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
†Physiographically, these continental islands are not part of the volcanic Windward Islands arc, although sometimes grouped with them culturally and politically.
#Bermuda is an isolated North Atlanticoceanic island, physiographically not part of the Lucayan Archipelago, Antilles, Caribbean Sea nor North American continental nor South American continental islands. It is grouped with the Northern American region, but occasionally also with the Caribbean region culturally.
