More information about Belize is available on the Belize Page and from other Department of State publications and other sources listed at the end of this fact sheet.
U.S.-Belize Relations
The United States established diplomatic relations with Belize in 1981 following the country’s independence from Britain. Belize remains a committed partner on U.S. regional priorities, including security, prosperity and governance, democracy and human rights, migration management, and climate change. The largest Belizean community outside Belize, estimated at 160,000, resides in the United States. The United States and Belize work together to advance regional stability through strengthening border security, addressing transnational crime, and humanely managing the flow of irregular migrants to the United States through Belize. Belize faces similar challenges to the rest of Central America, including the harmful activities of criminal organizations, insecurity and poverty, gang violence, and the increased effects of climate change.
U.S. Assistance to Belize
The United States works closely with the Government of Belize to fight narcotics, human and other types of illicit trafficking, and transnational organized crime. The U.S. government seeks to strengthen citizen security and improve the government’s capacity to confront criminal organizations. U.S. programs continue assisting Belize to professionalize its police force, strengthen its justice sector, and improve its border security capacity. U.S. good governance programming focuses on fortifying civil society, improving health security and government service delivery, and building capacity within both civil society and government civil service. The Belize Defense Force receives military assistance from the United States, including training, humanitarian and medical assistance programs, and programs to construct and renovate schools. The U.S. military helped with the establishment of Belize’s Coast Guard and continues to play a role in building its capacity.
The United States, through USAID, works with UN agencies and the Government of Belize to promote innovative solutions that strengthen access to justice, support human rights, and improve the use of technology in judicial processes. U.S. Embassy-managed Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) programming supports six innovative projects to enhance Belize’s civil society and governance. The Peace Corps operates public health and education programs in Belize. U.S. Embassy Public Affairs programming promotes entrepreneurship, media literacy, and social and economic inclusion. Its youth programs also support the development of financial literacy and climate change awareness. Through the Millennium Challenge Corporation compact development process, the United States and Belize will continue working together to advance economic prosperity and pursue entrepreneurial paths to climate change resilience.
The United States strongly supports conservation and climate adaptation efforts in Belize. In November 2022, the United States delivered emergency humanitarian aid to Belizean communities devastated by Hurricane Lisa.
U.S. Migration Policy Towards Belize and the Region
The United States and Belize remain committed to humane migration management. The two countries co-hosted the Anniversary Ministerial of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection in June 2023. At the meeting, the United States and Belize reaffirmed goals of promoting human rights as well as providing stability and assistance to affected communities. Belize also helps support the United States’ regional approach under the Strategy to Address the Root Causes of Migration, which focuses on a coordinated, place-based approach to improve the underlying causes pushing Central Americans to migrate. This strategy lays out a framework to leverage the expertise and resources of a broad group of public and private stakeholders, to build hope for citizens in Central America that the life they desire can be found at home.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The United States is the leading trading partner and source of investment funds for Belize. Trade in goods between the United States and Belize totaled $644.09 million dollars in 2022. Tourism attracts the most foreign direct investment, although many U.S. companies also invest in the agriculture, agroforestry, and energy sectors. A Country Commercial Guide for Belize is available from the U.S. Embassy’s Economic/Commercial section.
Belize’s Membership in International Organizations
Belize became a member of the United Nations following its 1981 independence from the United Kingdom. Belize and the United States belong to several of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, and International Maritime Organization.
Belize will assume leadership of the Regional Conference on Migration (RCM) as President Pro Tempore in December 2023. The RCM’s 11 member countries commit to addressing issues of international migration in a multilateral context that respects orderly movements and human rights. The RCM is voluntary and non-binding and operates by consensus. It provides a space for respectful, frank, and honest discussions among member countries on regional and international migration to achieve greater coordination, transparency, and cooperation.
Bilateral Representation
Principal U.S. embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
Belize maintains an embassy in the United States at 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel: 202-332-9636).
More information about Belize is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:
CIA World Factbook Belize Page
U.S. Embassy
History of U.S. Relations With Belize
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel Information