On November 14, 2025, officials from Belize and Mexico’s Quintana Roo convened in the Corozal Free Zone to discuss bilateral cooperation on trade, border management, and environmental challenges. The meeting, attended by high-ranking delegates including Belize’s Minister Thea Ramirez and CEO Narda Garcia, focused on issues such as gender-based violence, beach erosion in Chetumal Bay, and the introduction of a special border pass for residents of Mexico’s southern states. Additionally, both parties agreed to update key economic agreements, with Mexican officials highlighting the potential for Belize’s ports to reduce shipping costs for Quintana Roo businesses and facilitate access to CARICOM markets.
However, the meeting drew sharp criticism from Belizean citizens, particularly on social media, for its failure to address the escalating narco-trafficking threats in the region. Recent incidents, including an alleged execution attempt on a Corozal Free Zone businessman linked to Mexican cartels, have heightened concerns. Many questioned the absence of police representation and the delegation’s focus, with one commenter labeling the event as a ‘family trip’ rather than a serious diplomatic engagement. The oversight has sparked debates about the priorities of regional cooperation and the urgent need to tackle organized crime.