 | |
 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 BelizeMichelle Kwan |
Relations betweenBelize and theUnited States have traditionally been close and cordial. The United States is Belize's principaltrading partner and major source ofinvestment 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 Americanpresident,[1] the country's leadership has met with various American presidents during meetings along with the Caribbean Community such as the 1997 summit withBill Clinton in Barbados.[2]
.jpg)
The United States first established a consulate inBritish Honduras on 3 March 1847 when it was still a British colony.[3]
In the 1960s, the U.S. sought to mediatea territorial dispute between Belize andGuatemala which stemmed froma treaty dating back to 1859.[4]
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, withMalcolm R. Barnebey serving as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim.[4]
Initially located in Belize City, which had been battered by hurricanes in1931 and1961, and fires in 1999 and 2004, the embassy eventually moved to the new capital,Belmopan, on December 11, 2006.[4][5]
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 illicitnarcotics trafficking, and both governments seek to control the flow ofillegal migrants to the United States through Belize. Belize and the United States brought into force a stolen vehicle treaty, anextradition treaty, and aMutual Legal Assistance Treaty between 2001 and 2003.[citation needed]
The United States regularly participates in military training and exercises with theBelize Defense Force.[6]
 | This sectiondoes notcite anysources. Please helpimprove this section byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged andremoved.(November 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The United States is the largest provider ofeconomic assistance to Belize, contributing $2.5 million in various bilateral economic andmilitary 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 amedium-wave radiorelay station inPunta Gorda that broadcast to the neighboring countries ofHonduras,Guatemala, andEl Salvador. TheU.S. military has a diverse and growing assistance program in Belize that included the construction and renovation of several schools andyouth 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.
Media related toRelations of Belize and the United States at Wikimedia Commons
| Americas | ||
|---|---|---|
| Asia | ||
| Europe | ||
| Diplomatic missions | ||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
