Free Movement Plan Advances in Belize, Even as Partners Lag

Belize is moving ahead with a bold step, joining three other CARICOM nations to allow full, unrestricted free movement among their citizens. But while Belize pushes forward with legislation to bring the agreement to life, the other countries have yet to follow suit. That timing is drawing scrutiny. The opposition is now pressing the government, questioning whether Belize is putting its own people at a disadvantage by acting first. But Prime Minister John Briceño is brushing off those concerns, insisting the move poses no risk and urging Belizeans not to worry.

 

Tracy Panton, Leader of the Opposition

“We are the first country to now have a legally binding law. I saw that member for Orange Walk Central and Mr. Speaker, that our officers when they travel to COTED for these meetings to advance trade arrangements or any kind of contingency rights should first ensure that Belizeans are taken into account. I would have been satisfied if what we were told that the countries have agreed in six months all territories would have enshrined legislation, but that is not the case. I ask, when can this piece of legislation be expected in the territories that have signed on.”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“To ally the fears of people that say everybody will rush into Belize. Since we began implementation on the first of October, last year, so far we have had eighty-three Caricom nationals that have entered under the free movement framework and of the eighty0-three, only two are currently residing in Belize, only two.”

 

The free movement agreement came into effect at the start of October 2025.

 

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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