PM Briceño Strengthens Belize-Mexico Relations, Discusses Energy and Security Collaboration

Despite his early arrival from Mexico on Friday, Prime Minister John Briceño was able to achieve several things whilst in Mexico.  He had traveled to Mexico City to chair a meeting of COCESNA (the Central American Air Navigation Services Corporation) as the pro tempore chairman of that organization. During his time there, the Prime Minister seized the opportunity to lobby support for the candidacy of CEO Kennedy Carillo to sit on the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) Board, a specialized agency of the United Nations.  During his one-day working visit to Mexico City, the Prime Minister, accompanied by CEO Narda Garcia and His Excellency Oscar Arnold, Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico, took the opportunity to meet with Raquel Serur Smeke, the Mexican Undersecretary (Vice Minister) for Latin America and the Caribbean, and Director General for Central America & the Caribbean in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Prime Minister Briceño emphasized the strong relationship between both countries and the support that President Claudia Sheinbaum and the new Foreign Minister pledged to the continued bilateral relations with Belize. The dialogue on security and the development of trade and tourism in the shared border region was also broadened, along with discussions of Tren Maya’s medium- and long-term plans for development and connectivity to Belize and the rest of Central America.  Mutual benefits for Belize and México were highlighted, particularly in addressing the challenges and opportunities faced in the energy sector. Both countries are currently forming working groups to examine ways to increase energy generation and transmission, as well as to expand the existing power purchase agreement to meet growing demand on both sides of the border. The need for green energy development in both countries was another very prominent topic of discussion.