Tag:
Caribbean Community
Government
Belize Addressing Tensions with Guatemala at the Sarstoon Diplomatically
Belize has been responding diplomatically to recent Guatemalan military incursions into its southern waters following two incidents on September 10 and 13 at the Sarstoon River. The Guatemalan navy claims the entire river belongs to their country. They attempted to block access when a group of Belizeans with the Belize Territorial Volunteers, escorted by the Belize Defence Force (BDF) and Coast Guard, visited the area. The Government of Belize (GOB) has raised the matter with its international allies and has received support from regional and international organizations.
Government
Belize Participates in the Brazil-Caribbean Summit
The Ministry of Economic Transformation represented the Government of Belize at the Brazil-Caribbean Summit held in Brasilia, Brazil. The high-level meeting brought together heads of government and senior officials from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Brazil to strengthen regional cooperation across critical areas, including food and nutrition security, climate change, energy transition, disaster risk management, and connectivity.
Government
Amnesty Qualifying Criteria Extended
The qualifying criteria for Belize’s Amnesty Program, which aims to regularize the status of undocumented migrants, has been extended. Initially, the program only applied to individuals who had been residing in Belize up to 2016. The updated criteria now include individuals who can provide documentation showing they have lived in the country since December 31, 2019.
Government
CARICOM Foreign Ministers discuss U.S. position on Cuban medical brigade
A meeting was held virtually on February 28th among the foreign ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to discuss the United States' intentions to revoke visas for foreign government officials whose countries employ Cuban doctors and nurses. This decision stems from reports indicating that the U.S. views these medical brigades as forced labor programs.
Government
Belize Celebrates Historic Ratification of Ocean Biodiversity Agreement
Belize has made history by being the first Caribbean nation to officially ratify the groundbreaking ocean biodiversity agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
Government
Belizean Delegation Attends Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum in Jamaica
A Belizean delegation, led by Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Youth, Sports and Transport, is participating in the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF) 2023 in Kingston, Jamaica.
Government
Belize Deposits Instrument of Acceptance for WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies
On June 16, 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Immigration through H.E. Dr. Gianni Avila, submitted Belize's instrument of acceptance of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, making Belize the first Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and Central American Integration System (SICA) country to take this significant step towards sustainable fisheries practices at the multilateral level.
Community and Society
BRS Area Representative Hon. Andre Perez talks about future plans
After the November 2020 victory for the People's United Party and consequently forming the new government, the administration believes that the country's challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic are improving. Area Representative for Belize Rural South (BRS) (Ambergris Caye, Caye Caulker), Honourable Andre Perez, said during an interview with The San Pedro Sun that he now feels confident in delivering on all his main promises because the economy is in better shape. The work ahead is to finish the health center in Caye Caulker, build a hospital for San Pedro Town, develop infrastructure (bridge and roads), build schools north of San Pedro Town, and develop other important programs.