In a landmark meeting held on November 14, 2025, Belize and Mexico took significant steps to enhance cross-border cooperation, addressing a range of issues from gender-based violence to environmental challenges like beach erosion. The discussions also paved the way for a joint policy aimed at boosting and coordinating investment between the two nations, signaling a promising future for economic collaboration. Thea Garcia-Ramirez, Belize’s Minister of Human Development, played a pivotal role in the talks, emphasizing the need for a structured framework to facilitate these initiatives. One of the key outcomes was the introduction of a border pass for residents of five southern Mexican states—Quintero, Chiapas, Tabasco, Yucatan, and Campeche. This pass, which will be issued free of charge, will allow Mexican nationals to travel throughout Belize for up to seven days. Additionally, the Belizean Cabinet has approved the discontinuation of various fees, including exit fees, to make cross-border travel more accessible. Garcia-Ramirez highlighted that easing travel restrictions could attract a significant portion of the 1.2 million annual visitors to the free zone, most of whom are Mexican, thereby boosting Belize’s tourism and economy.