Belize–Mexico relations

Belize–Mexico relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Belize and Mexico. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States and the United Nations.

Belize-Mexico relations

Belize
Mexico

History
The Hondo River forming a natural border between Belize and Mexico

The Yucatán Peninsula, today divided between the nations of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico; was once home to the Mayan civilization. In the 16th century, Spain invaded the territory and administered the land from Mexico City, seat of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. After Spanish conquest, the territory that would later be known as Belize was poorly administered and open to attacks from pirates. In the 17th century, British settlers began arriving to Belize and fought several battles to control the territory. In the late 18th century, the United Kingdom formally took over the territory of Belize.[1] In July 1893, newly independent Mexico signed a treaty with the United Kingdom setting borders between the two nations, which is still in place today.[2]

On 21 September 1981, Belize became an independent nation. That same day, Belize and Mexico established diplomatic relations with Mexico establishing the first embassy in the country, while the United Kingdom established a High Commission.[2] In 1982, Belizean Prime Minister George Price became the first head of state from Belize to pay an official visit to Mexico. In 1986, Belize opened its embassy in Mexico City. In 1988, Mexican President Miguel de la Madrid became the first Mexican head of state to pay an official visit to Belize.[2] Since then, there have been several high-level visits between heads of states from both nations.[2] In 2016, both nations celebrated 35 years of diplomatic relations.[3]

State visits

Prime Ministerial visits from Belize to Mexico[2][4][5][6]

Presidential visits from Mexico to Belize[7][8]

Bilateral agreements

Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements such as an Agreement of Territorial Limits of British Honduras signed between Mexico and the United Kingdom (1893); Postal Agreement (1910); Agreement of Cultural Exchanges (1982); Agreement on the Execution of Criminal Judgments (1986); Agreement of Cooperation in Combating Drug Trafficking and Drug Dependency (1990); Agreement of Cooperation in the Preservation and Maintenance of Archaeological Zones (1990); Agreement of Tourism Cooperation (1990); Agreement for the Protection and Restitution of Archaeological, Artistic and Historical Monuments (1991); Agreement for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment and Conservation of Natural Resources in the Border Zone (1991); Agreement of Scientific and Technical Cooperation (1995) and an Agreement on Exchange of Information on Tax Matters (2011).[9]

Transportation and border crossings

There are direct flights between both nations with the following airlines: Aeroméxico Connect, Maya Island Air, Transportes Aéreos Guatemaltecos and Tropic Air. There are also several border crossings along the Belize–Mexico border.

Trade

In 2018, trade between Belize and Mexico totaled US$138 million.[10] Belize's main exports to Mexico include: shrimp and crustaceans; motors; machinery parts and scrap metal. Mexico's main exports to Belize include: electric energy; textiles; cement and parts for the cement industry.[11] In 2016, Mexican direct investment totaled US$250 million while Belizean investment to Mexico amounted to US$2.2 million.[11] Mexico is Belize's second largest trading partner globally.[3] Mexican multinational companies Cemex and Rotoplas operate in Belize.

Embassy of Belize in Mexico City

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References
  1. "History of Belize". Archived from the original on 2014-04-20. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  2. History of diplomatic relations between Mexico and Belize (in Spanish)
  3. Celebración del 35° Aniversario del Establecimiento de Relaciones Diplomáticas México - Belice (in Spanish)
  4. Visita Oficial del Primer Ministro de Belize (in Spanish)
  5. Felipe Calderón recibe al primer ministro de Belice, Dean Barrow (in Spanish) Archived April 15, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  6. Primer informe de labores de la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (in Spanish)
  7. Cena Oficial que ofrecia el Primer Ministro de Belice en honor del Presidente Vicente Fox (in Spanish)
  8. México llama a dar mayor apoyo a países del Caribe afectados por recientes huracanes (in Spanish)
  9. Bilateral Agreement between Mexico and Belize (in Spanish)
  10. Ministry of the Economy: Belize (in Spanish)
  11. Asuntos económicos entre México y Belice (in Spanish)
  12. Embassy of Belize in Mexico City
  13. Embassy of Mexico in Belize
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