Belize | United States |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of Belize, Washington D.C. | Embassy of the United States, Belmopan |
Envoy | |
Ambassador of Belize to the United States Lynn Raymond Young | American Ambassador to Belize Michelle Kwan |
Relations between Belize and the United States 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. Belize hasn't received a direct visit from an American president, [1] the country's leadership has met with various American presidents during meetings along with the Caribbean Community such as the 1997 summit with Bill Clinton in Barbados.
British Honduras | United States |
---|
The United States first established a consulate in British Honduras on 3 March 1847 when it was still a British colony. [2]
In the 1960s, the U.S. sought to mediate a territorial dispute between Belize and Guatemala which stemmed from a treaty dating back to 1859. [3]
Belize achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981, following several months of negotiations involving the UK and Guatemala. The U.S. elevated the status of its diplomatic presence from a Consulate General to an Embassy on October 29, 1981, with Malcolm R. Barnebey serving as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. [3]
Initially located in Belize City, which had been battered by hurricanes in 1931 and 1961, and fires in 1999 and 2004, the embassy eventually moved to the new capital, Belmopan, on December 11, 2006. [3] [4]
International crime issues dominate the agenda of bilateral relations between the United States and Belize. The United States is working closely with the Government of Belize to fight illicit narcotics trafficking, and both governments seek to control the flow of illegal migrants to the United States through Belize. Belize and the United States brought into force a stolen vehicle treaty, an extradition treaty, and a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between 2001 and 2003.[ citation needed ]
The United States regularly participates in military training and exercises with the Belize Defense Force. [5]
The United States is the largest provider of economic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in various bilateral economic and military aid. United States 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, Peace Corps volunteers have served in Belize since 1962. Until the end of 2002, Voice of America operated a medium-wave radio relay 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.
Guatemala's major diplomatic interests are regional security and increasingly, regional development and economic integration.
Belize maintains 14 embassies to foreign countries, one consulate, and three missions to international organizations. In 1990, Belize became a member of the Organization of American States, and the Commonwealth of Nations in 1981.
The United States and Barbados have had cordial bilateral relations since Barbados' independence in 1966. The United States has supported the government's efforts to expand the country's economic base and to provide a higher standard of living for its citizens. Barbados is a beneficiary of the U.S. Caribbean Basin Initiative. U.S. assistance is channeled primarily through multilateral agencies such as the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, as well as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) office in Bridgetown.
Relations between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States are described as very strong.
Grenada – United States relations are bilateral relations between Grenada and the United States. The United States recognized Grenada on 7 February 1974, the same day as Grenada got independence from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. These nations formally established diplomatic relations on 29 November 1974.
There is a U.S. Embassy in Guatemala located in Guatemala City. According to the United States Department of State, relations between the United States and Guatemala have traditionally been close, although sometimes they are tense regarding human, civil, and military rights.
Saint Lucia – United States relations are bilateral relations between Saint Lucia and the United States. Roger F. Nyhus is the U.S. Ambassador to St. Lucia.
Tunisia – United States relations are bilateral relations between Tunisia and the United States.
Uganda – United States relations are bilateral diplomatic, economic, social and political relations between Uganda and the United States.
This is an index of Central America-related articles. This index defines Central America as the seven nations of Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama.
Bilateral relations between Belize and Republic of China (Taiwan) have been maintained since 1989. Belize has adhered to the One China policy where it is one of the few countries that recognizes the ROC government as the sole legitimate government of "China" instead of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland.
Mattanya (Matty) Cohen, born 1965 is an Israeli diplomat. He was the former Israeli ambassador to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Belize.
Guatemala and Mexico are neighboring nations who established diplomatic relations in 1848. In January 1959 both nations broke diplomatic relations as a result of the Mexico–Guatemala conflict, however, diplomatic relations were re-established 8 months later in September of that same year. Since then diplomatic relations have continued unabated since. Diplomatic relations between both nations are based on close proximity, trade, cultural similarities and a shared history.
Belize and India maintain honorary consulates in each other's capital cities.
Belize and Mexico are neighboring nations. They established official diplomatic relations in 1981 after Belize obtained its independence. However, diplomatic relations between Mexico and British administered British Honduras existed as early as 1893. Relations between both nations are based on proximity, trade and cultural connections between the Maya peoples of Belize and southern Mexico.
The nations of Honduras and Mexico established diplomatic relations in 1879. Both nations are members of the Association of Caribbean States, Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, Organization of American States, Organization of Ibero-American States and the United Nations.
The Belize–Guatemala border is an almost straight line 266 km (165 mi) long, close to the 89th meridian west, which separates the west of Belize's territory from Guatemala's.
The head of state of both Belize and the United Kingdom is Charles III, who holds the title King of Belize. Both nations are members of the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations.
Belize has an embassy and honorary consulates in Madrid, Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca. Spain has a non-resident embassy for Belize in Guatemala, and an honorary consulate in Belize City.
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