Minister of Foreign Affairs Says Belize Staying Balanced Amid Global Shifts

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Francis Fonseca says Belize continues to pursue a balanced and principled foreign policy while closely monitoring shifting geopolitical dynamics involving the United States and other global partners.  Speaking to reporters this week, Fonseca explained that Belize, like many other nations, is carefully observing developments in international relations while ensuring that the country’s diplomatic principles and commitments remain intact.  

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs: “The US has made it very clear, as you rightly pointed out, they have made it very clear that they have an America-first policy, of course, and they are very interested in the Western Hemisphere and dominance of the Western Hemisphere. They have made their position very clear. We have to be aware of that. We have fundamental principles that underpin our foreign policy that should not change and cannot change. But all of us, countries all over the world, are dealing with this. I just came back from Commonwealth meeting of foreign ministers, 56 foreign ministers were there and everybody, everybody was scratching their heads and saying, exchanging notes, you know, what they are dealing with in their own countries in response to the changing global environment, the changing positions of the United States of America which is obviously the world’s largest superpower. We have to deal with that. We can’t hide, we can’t pretend it’s not there. We have to deal with it. So every day we get up and we respond to those changing circumstances, that changing context. But as I said, what’s important for Belize, a small country like Belize, is that we have strong alliances. That’s what we have with CARICOM, that’s what we have with the Commonwealth, that’s what we have with SICA. We maintain those alliances, we work through those alliances to strengthen our positions and that we remain true to our fundamental principles and our fundamental philosophy that underpin our foreign policy. A commitment to international law, a commitment to the rule of law, you know, the UN Charter, those are things that underpin Belize’s foreign policy for decades and we have to remain true to that while at the same time recognizing the changing circumstances and yes dealing with the reality of a US government that has a different vision for this hemisphere. We have to deal with that and we’re doing that responsibly, working along with our partners, but also making sure that we’re protecting Belize’s interests while we do that.”

Minister Fonseca noted that Belize is not alone in taking a cautious and observant approach as global circumstances continue to evolve.  Fonseca added that discussions at a recent meeting of the Commonwealth of Nations, which he attended last week in the United Kingdom, revealed that more than fifty countries are adopting a similar position.  According to the minister, many of those nations are carefully watching how the United States continues to navigate its foreign policy decisions and how those changes may impact global diplomacy and international cooperation.  Fonseca emphasized that Belize will continue engaging constructively with its partners while maintaining a foreign policy that protects the country’s sovereignty, values, and long-standing diplomatic relationships.