On a weekend marked by celebration and scrutiny, the Corozal Free Zone, one of northern Belize’s most critical economic hubs, marked 31 years of operation. The anniversary event, which honored long-standing investors and highlighted the zone’s decades-long contribution to job creation and national economic growth, was quickly overshadowed by unconfirmed allegations of cartel ties to the celebration that spread widely across social media platforms.
While these claims have not been backed by any formal evidence, the new leadership of the zone’s oversight portfolio has moved quickly to address public concerns, reaffirming ongoing security cooperation with neighboring Mexican authorities. Henry Charles Usher, Belize’s newly appointed Minister of Enterprise who holds responsibility for the free zone, emphasized that the area remains an irreplaceable economic driver for the northern region and the country as a whole, pushing back against unsubstantiated claims that overshadow the zone’s positive contributions.
“Yesterday marked 31 years of the free zone’s operations, and we gathered to honor investors who have built their businesses here and recognize what this zone means for our economy,” Usher stated in an on-the-record interview. “It is a vital part of the northern economy, and for Belize’s entire economic landscape, so supporting its growth and expanding job creation is a core priority for our government. Right now, more than 3,000 Belizeans are employed across 333 active businesses operating within the zone. That is the impact we focused on celebrating yesterday.”
When pressed by reporters about long-standing public concerns over smuggling activity and allegations of official complicity allowing illegal activity to persist, Usher pushed back on the unsubstantiated claims of official interference while outlining existing security protocols. “You are making unsubstantiated allegations here, and I cannot speak to where you are getting that information,” he said. “But when it comes to any illegal activity within the zone, we have permanent police presence, dedicated security personnel, and regular patrols operating around the area. We also maintain ongoing, close coordination with our Mexican counterparts to address cross-border criminal activity. The zone remains open, active, and a vital pillar of our northern economy.”
For years, the Corozal Free Zone, located on Belize’s northern border with Mexico, has faced persistent reports of bad actors operating within its bounds, particularly unregulated cash-based trade in contraband tobacco products. Despite these long-standing challenges, government officials continue to frame the zone as a net positive for the local economy, while committing to continued cross-border cooperation to root out criminal activity.