Diplomat optimistic about agreement with Mexico
This morning, for Belizean bus companies, it was business as usual at the Mexican border. This follows a Tuesday evening meeting in Chetumal in which the Mexicans agreed to a sixty-day moratorium on enforcement of new regulations, which would have had the effect of banning Belizean commercial vehicles from Mexico. According to Belize’s Ambassador to Mexico, Salvador Figueroa, transportation representatives from both countries have decided to meet again on February fourth, at which time new proposals will be presented. Figueroa says work on such a document has been ongoing and will be beneficial to both Belize and Mexico.
Salvador Figueroa, Bz.’s Ambassador to Mexico, Via Phone
“First of all, I don’t think it’s all of a sudden. We’ve been talking about this for some time now and I think both sides recognize that we need it. We need it because we need to comply with Mexican regulations when we are in their territory, and they do have regulations in place. I’m sure that they have been having trouble with their private sector in their bus companies in Mexico saying, why do we have to live with the regulations when foreign buses do not. So I am sure they are trying to deal with that reality. In our case, it behoves us to have a permanent agreement because then we know that we have the right to go into Mexico. It also protects us in any agreement for instance, what we don’t want is Mexican buses coming into Belize, picking up Belizean passengers and things like that and affecting our people. So I think there is an element of benefit to both sides that we need to pursue.”
Janelle Chanona
“Are there Mexican buses coming into Belize at the minute?”
Salvador Figueroa
“At the moment, my understanding is that two Guatemalan bus lines are coming into Belize, but one of them was recently acquired by a Mexican company. I cannot say that for sure, I was told that a few days ago. But I think certainly with the advent of multi-destination tourism and Mexicans showing a greater interest in knowing Belize, that we can expect that they will. For instance you know, we have buses that come from Mexico that go all the way to the Princess Casino for the weekend. So, yeah, we do have to try and find a solution that’s mutually beneficial.”
According to bus owner David Novelo, his company has been given a two week grace period to continue operating across the border, but at the end of that time, Novelo’s will have to comply with Mexico’s minimum traffic requirements including Mexican insurance for the vehicles and commercial licenses for the drivers. Attending yesterday’s meeting in Chetumal were representatives of Belizean bus companies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Transport Department, as well as Belize’s Consul General in Chetumal.
