Belize Could Be Next Stop in Mexico’s $30B Tren Maya Rail Expansion

Could Belize be the next stop for Mexico’s ambitious Tren Maya project? It’s a bold idea, and Church Senator Louis Wade says it’s not just possible, it’s worth pursuing. His support comes hot on the heels of a high-level meeting between Prime Minister John Briceño and the presidents of Mexico and Guatemala. But while the promise of tourism and economic growth sounds appealing, the idea isn’t without its critics. Environmental and geopolitical concerns are already stirring debate. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at the mixed reactions surrounding a project that could reshape regional connectivity. Here’s that report.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Mexico’s Tren Maya project is shaping up to be a massive investment, nearly thirty billion dollars by the time it’s done. Stretching almost a thousand miles across the Yucatán Peninsula, this modern railway promises to supercharge tourism and open up new economic opportunities. And now, Belize might just be next. Talks are underway to explore expanding the railway into our own backyard, sparking excitement, and a few questions about what that could mean for the country.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“The idea with Tren Maya is that it would follow the highway, it would go through our highway instead of going through, but we are just in the initial stages, so let us not get ahead of ourselves.”

 

On Friday, Prime Minister John Briceño was in Mexico for a meeting President Claudia Sheinbaum. There’s still no official word on what was discussed about expanding Tren Maya into Belize, but Church Senator Louis Wade is already backing the idea.

 

Louis Wade, Church Senator

“So now, Tren Maya is a brilliant economic idea, because it connects Merida, to Cancun, Tulum, all the way down to Chetumal, our neighbor. The next logical step is Belize. So when the discussions started I became very excited. Wherever the train needs to go, if it is San Pedro, mainland, whatever it is, we need the train and I have to become an advocate to say we need this kind of development in Belize. Mexico is able to get European as well as American tourist, tourist from all over the world go to Mexico and in particular Cancun which is so very close to us, why can’t they come to Belize?”

 

At the same time, there’s growing chatter about China’s possible role in funding the Tren Maya project. Earlier this year, a group of U.S. Congressmen drew attention, suggesting China might be bankrolling the railway, and even called on President Donald Trump to investigate. Their concern is about potential Chinese influence creeping into the Yucatán Peninsula. Well, in a March 2025 press conference, President Sheinbaum stepped in to clear the air.

 

Claudia Sheinbaum, President of Mexico

“The resources used to build the Tren Maya are public. You can see it in the public accounts reports: everything invested in the Tren Maya is public: the resources from the riverbed and the Mexicans who paid taxes, and that was returned to build the Tren Maya. So there is no Chinese financing. If any company had a fund at some point that was involved, well, that has nothing to do with the financing of the Tren Maya.”

 

Interestingly, one of the companies tapped to kick off the Tren Maya project was China Communications Construction Company, a major Chinese firm that landed a contract to build the early phases. And President Sheinbaum maintains that this is as far as their influence extends. But, even if China was funding the project, Prime Minister Briceno says, “so what”?

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Well if America is prepared to put in the money they are welcome to do so.”

 

Reporter

“They told Mexico they are when Trump was in 2019.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I repeat, if they are prepared to put in the money, we will be happy with the assistance.”

 

Benita Keme-Palacio

“Can you say how this will impact the commitment Belize has with Taiwan. If it were true.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Absolutely nothing. We are very strong supporters of Taiwan.”

 

Louis Wade

“Most of the tall buildings in Belize are Chinese owned. We are not looking at the future or the potential footprint of China in Belize through Tren Maya. China is already here. Secondly, I am a full supporter of Taiwan, one hundred percent, riding Tren Maya and supporting Tren maya has nothing to do with China and its political aspirations.”

 

When asked about the potential impact to Belize’s environment, Prime Minister John Briceño explained that the railway would run along Belize’s highway, suggesting that the environmental impact will be minimal. PM Briceño says talks are still in the early stages. But Senator Wade believes Belize has the brainpower to tackle any environmental concerns.

 

Louis Wade

“That is exactly what it is, it is fear and fear mongering, because the train uses only a fraction of the pathway in order to build from point A to point B. A little gazelle or a deer or bird can fly right over a jump right over the rails and move on. Engineering can solve any problem. We can create areas under the rails where these animals can continue to flow to ensure we have these corridors. We have engineers in this country who can engineer around any problem, be it manatee, mangroves, fish, be it animal, the reef. We don’t only have environmentalists in this country, we have engineers too.”

 

Right now, it’s all just talk, no official commitments have been made between Belize and Mexico on the project. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.