Belize Tightens Río Hondo Border Patrols, Presses Mexico on Maya Train Extension

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Belize Prime Minister John Briceño said his government has stepped up surveillance and deployed more security forces along the country’s border with Mexico, particularly the stretch facing Quintana Roo along the Río Hondo, to curb the illegal crossing of people fleeing Mexican justice and to counter transnational organized crime.

The reinforcement also responds to the fight against smuggling from Belize’s free zone and to a rise in criminal activity and irregular migration flows along the southern border. Briceño argued, however, that given the budget Mexico’s federal government devotes to fighting insecurity, crime rates should not be so high and his country should not have to intensify its own actions.

“Security is extremely important to us. I know Mexico has major problems with insecurity and you have far more resources than we do, so it is vital to prevent people from entering Belize,” Briceño said. “We are doing everything possible and we have very good cooperation with Mexico. When problems arise, we call, and on occasion I have spoken with the President, and we work very closely on border matters.”

Belizean authorities are concentrating on “blind spots” and the banks of the Río Hondo, which marks the boundary between the districts of northern Belize and southern Quintana Roo. Joint operations there with Mexican security personnel, including the National Guard and the army, aim to contain the illegal trafficking of goods and drugs and to control migratory flows.

Belize Keeps Pushing for Maya Train Link

On the Maya Train, Briceño reiterated that Belize’s interest in extending the route into the country remains firm and that his government continues to press federal authorities to consider the formal request it has submitted. He said officials are carrying out the feasibility studies Mexico requested and evaluating whether to move forward with the rail connectivity project.

“We have always said this, and the last time I met with the President we spoke about the Maya Train. Right now we are in the process of carrying out a study to see how we can bring the Maya Train to Belize City and from Belize to the border to connect with Guatemala,” he said.

Briceño said that if the request is approved, the eventual connection could open new opportunities for tourism, passenger transport and commercial exchange. He added that Belize will keep raising the issue in conversations between the two governments with the aim of turning the proposal into a binational infrastructure project.