Belize–Mexico border
The Belize–Mexico border is an international border between Belize and Mexico. It is 250 km long and follows the course of Hondo River almost exclusively.[1] It separates Belize from the Mexican states of Quintana Roo and Campeche.
The modern boundary of Belize was agreed to in 1893, but not finalized until 1897.
History
The border between Mexico and Belize was difficult to explore and map because of the remoteness of location, especially on the Mexican side. Due to the sparse population of the area, the British colony of British Honduras, now Belize, was able to occupy the region. Mexico did not recognize British possession of the territory until the late nineteenth century. The Mexican government's desire to end arms and ammunition smuggling from Belize Mayan supplied by rebels during the Caste War, prolonged the situation. As a result, the government of Porfirio Diaz became a Federal Territory area which previously belonged to the State of Yucatan, constituting the Territory of Quintana Roo, and decided to negotiate with the British government to finally fix the common border. They acknowledged British rule in the territory in return of Britain's promise to refrain from arming the Maya. With respect to these intentions, Mexico appointed Ignacio Mariscal, Secretary of Foreign Affairs, as Minister Plenipotentiary and the United Kingdom appointed Sir Spenser St. John to its Minister Plenipotentiary in Mexico for negotiations.
Treaty
A treaty was signed on July 8, 1893, in Mexico City and an additional convention added on April 7, 1897. The original treaty consisted of four articles: the first set the upper border; the second required Great Britain to stop arming Mayan rebels; the third laid out the obligation of both states to prevent Native Americans from gradually encroaching into the territory of the neighboring country; and the fourth required ratification of the treaty by the respective governments. The additional convention, signed by Ignacio Mariscal and the new British minister in Mexico, Sir Henry Nevill Dering, updated Article 3 to include a treaty establishing freedom for Mexican merchant ships to sail without restriction through the Boca Bacalar Chico and all British territorial waters in the Bay of Chetumal. Military vessels were not included in the treaty. Admission to the Bay of Chetumal in Mexico called for the construction of the Canal de Zaragoza. In early 2007, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico announced an agreement with Belize for the delimitation of the maritime boundary in the Bay of Chetumal. This announcement initially sparked widespread public rejection of Quintana Roo, because of a version that implied a territorial return to Belize would include inland areas. It was later clarified that it was only a correction of the maritime boundary, which did not change the border treaty of 1893.
Border
Under the treaty, the border starts at Boca Bacalar Chico, a narrow channel that separates the southern tip of the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and Ambergris Caye. It then runs through Chetumal Bay in a broken line up to the mouth of the Hondo River. The border follows the Hondo River through its deepest channel and then along its tributary, Blue Creek, until it reaches the meridian of Garbutt's Falls (approximately 89° 9' W). From this point, it runs directly south to 17° 49' N latitude; the border established between Mexico and Guatemala.
Currently the border has two official crossings where there are international bridges. The main one is located between Subteniente Lopez, Quintana Roo, Mexico, and Santa Elena. Corozal District, Belize, is located about 10 miles from Chetumal, which is the capital of Quintana Roo and main city of the region. The border between Mexico and Belize is one of the lesser-used borders by Mexicans, but it gained notoriety due to the recent reports of drug trafficking across the border, with drug traffickers attracted by the border's relative isolation. This problem has also become more prevalent due to a significant increase in economic activity and tourism, especially on the part of Belize, on the border. It has also become more commonplace due to Lieutenant Lopez establishing a free trade zone and the construction of casinos in the area. These are banned in Mexico and are considered a major tourist attraction.
Bilateral agreements between Mexico and Belize have been made to combat the issue of drug trafficking across the Belize-Mexico border.
Cities on both sides of the border
- Subteniente Lopez, Quintana Roo - Santa Elena, Corozal
- La Union, Quintana Roo - Blue Creek Village, Orange Walk
References
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