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Belize is a country on the north-eastern coast of Central America. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It also shares a water boundary with Honduras to the southeast. Belize is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and is considered part of the Caribbean region and the historical British West Indies.
Belize is a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the king of Belize serves as head of state and the prime minister is the head of government, and of a multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the Parliament of Belize.
The Belize Defence Force (BDF) is the military of Belize, and is responsible for protecting the sovereignty of the country. The BDF is under the Ministry of National Defence and Border Security, which is currently headed by Hon. Florencio Marin Jr.; the BDF itself is commanded by Brigadier General Azariel Loria. In 2012, the Belizean government spent about $17 million on the military, constituting 1.08% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).
The Botswana Defence Force Air Arm is the air force of the Botswana Defence Force. The Air Arm was formed in 1977 and squadrons are designated with a Z, meaning "squadron".
The Belize Coast Guard is the maritime security, search and rescue, and the maritime and law enforcement service branch of Belize. The BCG is under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The monarchy of Belize is a system of government in which a hereditary monarch is the sovereign and head of state of Belize. The current Belizean monarch and head of state since 8 September 2022, is King Charles III. As sovereign, he is the personal embodiment of the Belizean Crown. Although the person of the sovereign is shared with 14 other independent countries within the Commonwealth of Nations, each country's monarchy is separate and legally distinct. As a result, the current monarch is officially titled Kingof Belize and, in this capacity, he and other members of the royal family undertake public and private functions as representatives of the Belizean state. However, the King is the only member of the royal family with any constitutional role.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ) persons in Belize face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT citizens, although attitudes have been changing in recent years. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in Belize in 2016, when the Supreme Court declared Belize's anti-sodomy law unconstitutional. Belize's constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which Belizean courts have interpreted to include sexual orientation.
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, 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.
Patrick Jason Faber is a Belizean politician. He was the leader of the Opposition. He formerly served as the minister of Education, Youth Sports and Culture. In July 2020 he was appointed the leader of the United Democratic Party, after Prime Minister Dean Barrow stated his plans to retire at the end of his term.
His Majesty's Government in Belize, also referred to as the Belizean Government is the democratic administrative authority of Belize, a constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. It was formed in 1981 after gaining sovereignty from the United Kingdom. The constitution is the supreme law of Belize.
Belizean Americans are Americans who are of Belizean ancestry. These ancestors might be from Belize or of its diaspora.
The Belize Defence Force Air Wing is the aviation branch of the Belize Defence Force. Formed in 1983, it is based at the Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville. The main tasks of the Air Wing are Reconnaissance, SAR, CASEVAC, aerial resupply and troop transport. Furthermore, they assist the police in drug interdiction and anti-smuggling operations, and can be called upon by the Maritime Wing.
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General elections were held in Belize on 11 November 2020 to elect the 31 members of the House of Representatives. Nomination day was 21 October.
Julio René AlvaradoRuano was a fourteen-year-old Guatemalan boy who was killed in the Belize–Guatemala adjacency zone during an armed confrontation between the Belize Defence Force, Belizean park rangers, and Guatemalan farmers. The incident raised tensions between Belize and Guatemala, who have an ongoing border dispute since 1821. Belizean officials maintain that the Belize Defence Force acted in self-defence. However, the Guatemalan government claims the incident was a deliberate attack carried out by Belize's military. After the incident, the Organisation of American States agreed to investigate the death of Julio Alvarado at the request of both countries.
The Bophuthatswana Defence Force was established on 6 December 1977 from trainees of the South African Defence Force. It was the defence force of the Republic of Bophuthatswana, a nominally independent bantustan during the Apartheid era of South Africa.
Ann-Marie Williams is a Belizean public policy advisor, administrator and former journalist. After spending over two decades as a reporter, Williams became the first Executive Director for the National Women's Commission of Belize. She serves as a governmental advisor to the legislature and executive on issues impacting women. She was honored with the US Secretary of State's Women in Public Service Award in 2011.
Debra Baptist-Estrada is the Director of the Immigration Department in Belize. In 2016 she received the International Women of Courage Award. In 2019 she became the Director of the Immigration Department.
Myrna Kaye Manzanares MBE was a Belizean writer and activist, considered an ambassador of Belizean Creole culture. She worked to preserve this culture, particularly the Creole language, and advocated for racial justice both in Belize and among its diaspora.
References
- ↑ "Derricia (Jael) Castillo-Salazar – Biography". Arc International. 13 March 2017. Archived from the original on 8 October 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ "4 helicopter pilots and 13 maintenance personnel for BDF". The Guardian Belize. 6 July 2017. Archived from the original on 6 July 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ Flowers, Benjamin (19 June 2016). "LGBT groups hold meet and greet in Belize City". The Reporter Newspaper. Archived from the original on 20 June 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ Humes, Aaron (3 August 2017). "For Belize LGBT's, Pride is Showing". News Five. Archived from the original on 16 August 2017.
- 1 2 "Faber Says No to LGBT Spin on Minister's Award". 7 Newsbelize. 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ "Education Minister Reconciled With Derrica Castillo". 7 Newsbelize. 9 November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 November 2016. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- ↑ "U.S. Embassy Recognizes Outstanding Belizean Women". 3 April 2017. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.