BELIZE CITY, Mon. Sept. 13, 2021– In a joint statement released by the US State Department on August 29, Belize was listed as a country committed to ensuring that citizens of Afghanistan are able to travel freely to our country.

The release states that the list of countries are “committed to ensuring that our citizens, nationals and residents, employees, Afghans who have worked with us and those who are at risk can continue to travel freely to destinations outside Afghanistan.”

The US State Department has said that they have gotten assurances from the Taliban that foreign nationals and Afghanistan citizens with travel authorization would be able to travel freely outside the country.

The release states, “We will continue issuing travel documentation to designated Afghans, and we have the clear expectation of and commitment from the Taliban that they can travel to our respective countries.”

Belize joins a host of other countries extending this helping hand to the citizens of Afghanistan. Local media last week suggested that this new release could result in an influx of Afghan refugees into the country. They reportedly reached out to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eamon Courtenay, who said that Belize was simply asked to be included in the list of countries mentioned in the joint statement as an act of solidarity.