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Belize, Mexico strengthen ties with Prez. Obrador’s visit 

HeadlineBelize, Mexico strengthen ties with Prez. Obrador’s visit 

By Khaila Gentle

BELIZE CITY, Sat. May. 7, 2022

The President of the United Mexican States, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, made his first official visit to Belize on Saturday as a part of his five-day tour of Central America and Cuba. During his brief working visit, López Obrador (or AMLO, as he is often called) took part in numerous bilateral talks with Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño and his delegation and also signed a joint communique with the PM. As a result of one of those bilateral talks, Belize will now be able to export its agricultural products, including cattle, to Mexico free of tariffs.

The trade agreement was made in an effort to increase commercial exchange between Mexico and Belize. Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Jose Mai stated in writing that it was “one of the greatest moments in the history of both nations,” noting that the Briceño administration had been seeking reduction of tariffs on cattle since its term began in 2020.

“Today, this announcement on the zero tariffs on agriculture products will radically change the future of agriculture in our nation,” wrote Minister Mai.

The president’s visit to Belize culminated outside the Laing Building in Belize City, where, following private meetings between delegations from both countries, both Prime Minister Briceño and President López Obrador gave statements to the media.

“Our countries share history, culture, and borders. We have common roots: the Mayan civilization, and the Afro-American and European roots,” stated President Obrador.

He also highlighted the fact that Mexico was one of the first countries to establish a diplomatic relationship with Belize post-independence. And after Saturday’s discussions, the two nations will see that relationship strengthened.

“Poverty continues to be one of the biggest social problems that we have, or challenges that we have in Belize. Because of the pandemic, poverty went up as high as 60%. And so it is very important for us to find ways how we can work with our people to get them out of poverty. You don’t get someone out of poverty by giving them a cheque. You get them out of poverty by creating opportunities, by putting them to work and to find markets for the products that they produce,” stated Prime Minister Briceño.

The Prime Minister also went on to express his joy and his gratitude towards López Obrador and his delegation for their visit, stating that he only wished the visit was longer so that the Mexican president could experience more of the country,

The four-hour working visit also saw the signing of a Letter of Intent for the implementation of the Sowing Life project by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Eamon Courtenay, and Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon. The project is expected to benefit rural producers by contributing to food security and job creation through the provision of training as well as the implementation of agro-silvo-pastoral production systems.   

Additionally, Mexico has agreed to support the further development of education in Belize through the continuation of the “Escuela Mexico” program as well as to explore the possibility of improving infrastructure and transport between the two countries in an effort to promote tourism and boost economic activity.

President López Obrador’s five-day tour began in Guatemala and then saw him travel to El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, and Cuba. While in Guatemala on Thursday, he criticized the U.S government for its failure to assist Central America with developmental aid, especially considering how quickly it rendered aid to Ukraine.

“They are different things and they shouldn’t be compared categorically, but they have already approved $30 billion for the war in Ukraine, while we have been waiting since President Donald Trump, asking they donate $4 billion, and as of today, nothing, absolutely nothing,” he had said.

López Obrador has also previously criticized the U.S for its economic blockade on Cuba and its exclusion of the country (alongside Venezuela and Nicaragua) from the Summit of the Americas—sentiments that were echoed by Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño after his recent visit to the Caribbean nation.

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