Embassies
- General
- Internal
- External
Belizean foreign relations are directed and implemented by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Belize’s foreign policy is directed toward consolidating its sovereignty, preserving its territorial integrity, and protecting its national interests. Belize maintains strong foreign relations with its English-speaking Caribbean counterpart-states, and it 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. Much diplomatic effort is centred on Guatemala’s claim to Belizean territory, and the country’s own domestic agenda. In addition to the Commonwealth, Belize is a member of the UN, as well as the Organization of American States (OAS), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the Central American Integration System (SICA)
Belize hosts just less than 40 foreign embassies and consulates – with the majority located in Belize City, and a few in the capital city, Belmopan. One major example is the Embassy of Mexico to Belize, of which there are two premises, maintaining the strong bond between these two countries; a bond which has existed since Belizean independence. Major activities of the Mexican Embassy which illustrate the varying work of foreign missions in the country include: providing an avenue from which to coordinate aid distribution; natural disaster response; promoting regional cohesion; the local promotion of the Consular Section and the Institute of Mexico (Cultural & Educational, and Technical & Scientific Cooperation Affairs), located in Belize City; and the management of the two countries’ mutual border.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Belize maintains a network of 18 missions abroad – staffed by 35 diplomatic personnel and 26 support staff – and 50 honorary consulates (2011). A particularly relevant example is the Embassy of Belize in Washington DC, USA, where Belize promotes itself as a bridge between Central America and the Caribbean. Functions include maintaining ties with American government agencies, the US Congress, and State governments, attracting FDI from the USA, providing visa and passport services, and providing a vital bridge to the Belizean diaspora in the USA – essentially providing the foundation of a mutually beneficial partnership