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From The Publisher

PublisherFrom The Publisher
Where population is concerned, Guatemala is perhaps 40 times larger than Belize, while Mexico is maybe 8 times bigger than Guatemala. The statistics are important, because Guatemala has been claiming Belize for many decades, and sometimes speaks and behaves in a belligerent manner in connection with the claim, while Mexico, the superior power, has nothing to say on the matter.
 
There are issues with respect to the history between Mexico and Belize (British Honduras) which are so mysterious they are absolutely intriguing. The most important issue of all involves the bloody Caste War which was fought in the Yucatan in the second half of the nineteenth century, and the fact that the British in Belize allowed refugees from both the warring sides – the ladinos and the Mayas, to settle in the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts of Belize. This was how Roman Catholicism was introduced and took root in a British colony which had previously been dominated by the Anglican Church.
 
But the second most important issue, and perhaps the two issues are related, is the position of the Mexicans where the territory of Belize is concerned. If I were a Mexican, I cannot see how I would allow Guatemala to do something in connection with their claim, and just sit idly by and myself do nothing.
 
To a great extent, Belizeans have been falling in love with Mexico, especially the border town of Chetumal, for a long, long time. This love affair is presently at its hottest ever, because Chetumal (not to mention Cancun) is at its most spectacular ever. The Mexicans have won the hearts and minds of the Belizean people to such an extent that it would be no contest if Belizeans had to choose between the two republics.
 
I’ve traveled through a lot of Mexico by bus. I’ve been to Merida, been through Vera Cruz and Mexico on the way to Tijuana, through Laredo, Monterey and Mexico City on the way back home from New York City, through Tampico to Matamoros, visited Villahermosa and Coatzacoalcos, and I would say Mexicans must be the most nationalistic people on planet earth. Mexico is for Mexicans, and Mexicans are for Mexico.
 
A couple weeks ago the Mexican football selection played the United States at Soldier’s Field in Chicago, Illinois. This was the finals of the Gold Cup tournament. There is really nothing like watching a battle like this, because you know that men would literally give their lives to win such a game. It is an eternal bone in the throat for Mexico to be next door to the greatest power on earth. For instance, the American states of Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, California, and parts of two other states were all Mexican territory before the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848 ended the Mexican-American War. Yet the United States is building a wall to keep Mexicans from crossing the Rio Grande. The U.S. has invaded Mexico on several occasions. The rivalry between the two nations is extreme, especially on the side of the underdog Mexicans.
 
The Mexicans lost at Soldier’s Field, although they played brilliantly and gallantly. Presently that same Mexican national team is in Venezuela kicking up a lot of dust in the America’s Cup. A young Mexican forward by the name of Nery Castillo, who scored a sensational goal to help beat Brazil, has emerged as a superstar. The Mexican people are delirious with joy at the success of their team.
 
Meanwhile, I have been reading the story of the Mexican Revolution for maybe the third or fourth time, and I am reading slowly, just a few pages at a time, trying to absorb the sense of those incredible years when macho men like Zapata and Villa waged war against the fearsome Huerta.
 
Bloody and historic events were taking place just north of us in British Honduras, but we were British subjects, protected (and oppressed) at the time by the greatest power in the world – the British Empire. Not only did we not experience the reality of the Mexican Revolution in the first half of the twentieth century, when we went to school in the second half of that century, we Belizeans were taught absolutely nothing about the Revolution.
 
In the Corozal and Orange Walk Districts, however, the people were more in tune with the history of Mexico, and so they have been the most militant and successful of Belizeans. The people in the north know the value of land. At the same time, our former capital city has been experiencing decades of socio-economic deterioration, a decline which has reached the point where we now live in conditions which are practically lawless in Belize City.
 
We have a problem with personal and social discipline which has become alarming in Belize City. The people of Belize City are not educated enough about the history of Mexico to understand why it is that Chetumal is how it is. But they know that they long to live in such a disciplined place, a place where the lawful rule over the lawless. In Belize, unfortunately, it appears to be a case of vice versa. Before we figure out what to do, we have to figure out who is to blame. For real.      

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