CARICOM Stood by Belize Leading up to Independence

David Gibson

Former C.E.O in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, David Gibson shared how CARICOM leaders came to Belize’s support in order for the country to gain political independence in 1981, effectively keeping Guatemala’s claim at bay.

David Gibson, Former Ambassador/C.E.O., Ministry of Foreign Affairs

“As Belize prepared for independence, CARICOM ministers converged in Belize to show solidarity and support, as the government faced fierce opposition to the heads of agreement signed by Belize, UK, and Guatemala. This was a last ditch effort to try to establish a basis for future negotiations in the post independence period. Strongly, these heads of agreement, and they were heads of agreement, and they were not actual agreements, strongly opposed by the United Democratic Party, the opposition, with even a suggestion that there might have been some collusion with the British to have the whole matter of independence postponed for 10 years, something which the Guatemalans would have wanted, having seen the cut of the jib and things going in the direction of an independence, a unilateral which matters had not been resolved in the way that Guatemala would have wanted it so, wanting to continue with fruitless negotiations. The success of the agreement, setting out points for course independence discussion on negotiation between the parties, was signed by Premier Price, and the Guatemalan Foreign Minister, and the British Secretary of State. So pandemonium broke out in Belize. However, as it turns out, Belize stood the course and the government of Belize stood the course and proceeded to independence on September 21st, 1981. CARICOM heads of government review semi-annual reports by Belize which advise and reaffirm support for Belize’s post independence efforts to resolve the dispute. This report has been constant and framed to reflect the particularities of the four phases of such efforts. In other words, in the post independent period, there have been four phases of developments. The CARICOM states Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Dominica, and St. Lucia also serve on the Commonwealth Ministerial Committee. So there’s a Commonwealth Ministerial Committee on Beliefs which was, uh, formed in the year 2007, and which meets annually, usually, during the UN General Assembly or otherwise as needed to review the situation of Belize and Guatemala. Other members include Canada, Tanzania, India, Malaysia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom as observer. Now just quickly to look at the diplomatic activity. Um, the phases of the post independence, uh, experience with Guatemala. There was a negotiation phase that ensued in 1981, where negotiations, which included the opposition and the British reached a stage where draft treaties were actually prepared.”