Belize Central America

Agreements and Treaties. The Maritime Agreement continues to serve as the model maritime agreement for Central America and the Caribbean, and has promoted closer cooperation in the interdiction of maritime smuggling. Results under the Maritime Agreement in 2002 include conducting the combined maritime counternarcotics operations, facilitation of 42 U.S. law enforcement ship visits to Costa Rica in support of Eastern Pacific and Caribbean counternarcotics patrols, and response to six search and rescue cases. The United States and Costa Rica also signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Maritime Cooperation and Assistance, in which the United States agreed to take steps toward securing equipment and technical and training assistance for the Costa Rican Coast Guard. The United States and Costa Rica have had an extradition treaty in force since 1991. Although Costa Rican law does not permit the extradition of its nat ... [Read More]

Canada, Mexico, and Central America

In November local police authorities seized 116 pounds of MDMA from three Toronto residences.Corruption. Canada holds its officials and law enforcement personnel to a very high standard of conduct and has strong anticorruption controls in place. The GOC has strong anticorruption controls in place. Government personnel found to be engaged in malfeasance of any kind are removed from office and are subject to prosecution. Investigations into accusations of wrongdoing and corruption by government officials are thorough and credible. As a matter of government policy, Canada neither encourages nor facilitates illicit production or distribution of narcotic or psychotropic drugs or other controlled substances, or the laundering of proceeds from illegal drug transactions. Cultivation/Production. Cannabis cultivation, because of ... [Read More]

Public Announcement - Central America - Panama

Tropical Storm Adrian is intensifying off the Pacific coast of Central America and is expected to cause severe flooding with rainfall levels of 6 - 10 inches on the coastal areas and up to 20 inches in the mountains. Because of the increasing severity of the storm and the danger associated with it, American citizens living in or planning travel to El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Nicaragua should monitor news reports of the storm's movement. ...

This Public Announcement is being issued to alert Americans to the potential dangers posed by Tropical Storm Adrian to the Central American countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Belize and Nicaragua. This Public Announcement expires on May 31, 2005. ... [Read More]

V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G

Cyprus is a destination country for women trafficked from Eastern and Central Europe for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers who forced women into prostitution continued to fraudulently recruit victims for work as dancers in cabarets and nightclubs on short-term "artiste" visas, for work in pubs and bars on employment visas, or for illegal work on tourist or student visas. There was increasing evidence of Chinese women being trafficked for sexual exploitation in Cyprus. The Government of Cyprus does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. Cyprus made some progress in its anti-trafficking efforts over the past year. The new police anti-trafficking unit produced successful results and showed vigilance in combating the problem. Government recognition of the problem improve ... [Read More]

Background Notes

Belize's principal external concern has been the dispute involving the Guatemalan claim to Belizean territory. This dispute originated in imperial Spain's claim to all "New World" territories west of the line established in the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. Nineteenth century efforts to resolve the problems led to later differences over interpretation and implementation of an 1859 treaty intended to establish the boundaries between Guatemala and Belize, then named British Honduras. Guatemala contends that the 1859 treaty is void because the British failed to comply with all its economic assistance clauses. Neither Spain nor Guatemala ever exercised effective sovereignty over the area. Negotiations proceeded for many years, including one period in ... [Read More]

Visiting Belize

VISITING BELIZE Belize, previously known as British Honduras, lies on the East coast of Central America in the heart of the Caribbean Basin, bordering on Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the West and South, and flanked by the Caribbean Sea to the East.  Thousands of Americans visit Belize every year, drawn by the clear blue ocean, world-class diving, Mayan ruins, and lush jungles.  Still others come to explore the possibility of doing business in the country.  T ... [Read More]

Mexico/ Central America/ Carribbean – Educational Advising Centers – EducationUSA

Mexico/ Central America/ Caribbean ... [Read More]

Belize (08/04)

In order to strengthen its potential for economic and political development, Belize has sought to build closer ties with the Spanish-speaking countries of Central America to complement its historical ties to the English-speaking Caribbean states. For instance, Belize has joined the other Central American countries in signing the Conjunta Centroamerica-USA (CONCAUSA) agreement on regional sustainable development, and on July 1, 2003 assumed the presidency of SICA (Central American Integration System) for a 6-month period. Belize is a member of CARICOM, which was founded in 1973. It became a member of the OAS in 1990. ... [Read More]

Tips for Travelers to Central & South America

Revised October 1996 The information in this publication is in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission. When this material is reproduced, the Department of State would appreciate receiving a copy at: CA/P/PA, Room 6831, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520. CURRENT TRAVEL INFORMATIONThe Department of State's Consular Information Sheets are available for every country of the world. They describe topics such as unusual ... [Read More]

F) Canada, Mexico, and Central America

In April, the 2001 Annual IDEC conference elected PNP Director General Carlos Bares as the Regional IDEC President for Mexico and Central America. In 2001, the Central American countries jointly participated in simultaneous counternarcotics operations under the IDEC umbrella. Operations in 2001 consisted of commercial international airport interdiction, Pan-American Highway interdiction, maritime operations on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and a targeted approach to heroin trafficking. ... [Read More]