It’s a Massive Project with Even Bigger Implications

The proposed expansion of Mexico’s Tren Maya into Belize and Guatemala could open doors to CARICOM and boost regional trade, but it’s not cheap. So, who’s footing the bill? Reports say the Republic of China is helping fund it, and that’s raising eyebrows in Washington. And while the economic potential is huge, there’s another question on the table: What could this mean for Belize’s environment as the rails push deeper into the country?

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t know what you are talking about, because the idea of Tren Maya is that it will go through the highway and opposed to going through the, but we are just in the initial stages. So lets not get ahead of ourselves.”

 

Reporter

“Sponsorship P.M., I asked the foreign minister because the Americans appear to be concerned that the Chinese are funding a part of the Tren Maya and if that is to be the case would reconsider?”

 

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. When I was in Japan and I met the prime minister he brought up the issue of Taiwan. He was thanking us for being strong advocate and friends of Taiwan. We continue to make the case that we support Taiwan simply because we believe in the principle of self determination. It is because of that principle we are here as a free and independent nation and we believe these people should be given an opportunity to be able to determine their future.”