Mexican Ambassador Invites Belizeans to Chetumal

We also asked the ambassador about cartel-related violence in the Yucatan Peninsula. Questions continue to arise about Belize’s vulnerability to cross-border crime. But according to Ambassador Vallejo Barba, both countries are aware of the risks and are working closely to address them. The ambassador says security cooperation between Belize and Mexico remains strong, with established mechanisms for intelligence sharing and coordinated responses. And when asked about travel to Chetumal, Ambassador Vallejo Barba maintained that Belizeans are safe across the border.

 

Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba, Mexican Ambassador to Belize

“It’s a challenge we are facing and it is a transnational problem that we will have to work out together. But right now, the Mexican government has reinforced the security, mainly in the southern part of Mexico, so please come again to Chetumal. It is safe and everybody is waiting for you.”

 

Paul Lopez

“How strong is security cooperation between Belize and Mexico?”

 

Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba

“It is very strong. We have many security mechanisms to exchange information, to exchange capacity building, we have at least three or four mechanisms to do that and in every situation the information exchange is fast, effective and they are working very hard together.”

 

As both nations continue to strengthen intelligence-sharing and joint security efforts, officials maintain that cooperation remains key to keeping the Belize-Mexico border safe.

 

Mexico Wants More Belizean Cattle

 

Another topic we discussed with the Ambassador was the expanding trade ties between both countries. According to Ambassador Vallejo Barba, there is growing interest from Mexican companies in Belizean products, particularly in sectors such as cattle and coconut production.

 

Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba, Mexican Ambassador to Belize

“I know that Belize exports cattle to Mexico and they have already the company that were buying every product from Belize. And, I think we have a lot of opportunity in that kind of market. Also, coconut as you mentioned is very important. There are a lot of Mexican companies that are interested in buying products from Belize. And we are sharing information to get the standards from Belize product to meet the demands of Mexico and I think it is going to be a sector that is going to be working good. Cattle is very important. As you said, we have a tariff right now, because we were working without tariff. So, we have a tariff but I think that will be resolved in a while.”

 

The ambassador says officials from both countries remain optimistic that expanding trade will create new economic opportunities for Belizean producers.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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