CARICOM

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.

Following the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting held in Jamaica from July 6th to 8th, it was announced that Belize has joined three other Caribbean nations in committing to implement the whole free movement of people. Under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), this initiative includes Belize, Barbados, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Dominica. The implementation will go through a three-year transitional period beginning October 1st. In Belize, government officials anticipate increased trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.

The Cabinet approved two GST-free Back-to-School weekends as part of Plan Belize 2.0 and discussed the ongoing pay dispute between the University of Belize and its union. A national Emergency Response Plan was endorsed to address the escalating sargassum issue, alongside instructions for a long-term mitigation strategy. Cabinet also approved several modernization efforts, including the rollout of a National ID system, legislative updates on municipal governance, liquor licensing, and climate change policy. Additionally, preparations were advanced for the 2025 Investment Summit, Climate Week, and full CARICOM free movement agreements, while citizens were reminded to stay prepared for the hurricane season.

The Prime Minister of Belize, Honorable John Briceño, along with Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Francis Fonseca, attended the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held from July 6th to the 8th in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This summit, convened under the theme “People, Partnerships, Prosperity: Promoting a Secure and Sustainable Future,” served as a central platform for regional unity and strategic collaboration among Caribbean nations.

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.

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.

On Wednesday, April 9th, the Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) held a follow-up consultation session with stakeholders from the sport fishing industry in San Pedro. The meeting occurred at the Sunbreeze Hotel and focused on revising the Coastal Zone Management Act regarding sport fishing regulations. Participants engaged in the revision process and provided additional feedback on improvements that could be made to the management and laws governing the sector.

On Wednesday, April 9th, the United States announced a 90-day pause on the newly implemented reciprocal tariff rates, which included a 10% tariff on imports from various trade partners, including Belize. President Donald Trump's administration clarified that China would not receive any exemptions and is facing steeper tariff rates of up to 125%. Meanwhile, the Government of Belize (GOB) has consulted with stakeholders regarding the U.S. tariff policy.