Belize: U.S. Recognition and Diplomatic Relations since 1776

Summary

The United States established a consulate in British Honduras (now Belize) on March 3, 1847. Prior to independence Belize had been a British colony since 1862, changing its name to Belize from British Honduras in June 1973.

In the 1960s the United States sought and ultimately failed to mediate a dispute between Belize and Guatemala over contested Belizean territory dating back to an 1859 treaty between Imperial Spain and Great Britain.

Modern Flag of Belize

Recognition

U.S. Recognition of Belizean Independence, 1981

The United States recognized Belizean independence on October 29, 1981, when Consulate General Belize was raised to Embassy status with Principal Officer Malcolm R. Barnebey serving as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim. After several months of negotiations with Great Britain and Guatemala, Belize achieved full independence from the United Kingdom on September 21, 1981.

Diplomatic Relations

Establishment of Diplomatic Relations and the American Embassy in Belize, 1981

Diplomatic relations and the American Embassy were established on October 29, 1981, when Consulate General Belize was raised to Embassy status with Principal Officer Malcolm R. Barnebey serving as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim.

Embassy Moved to Belmopan, 2006

On December 11, 2006, the American Embassy at Belize City officially relocated to present-day capital Belmopan.

Resources

Where this page came from

This page was imported from U.S. Department of State, Office of the Historian. A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776, published by the Office of the Historian of the U.S. Department of State: a work of the United States government, in the public domain.

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