History of Belize in Timeline

Belize is a Central American country located on the northeastern coast, bordering Mexico to the north, the Caribbean Sea to the east, and Guatemala to the west and south. It shares a maritime border with Honduras. As part of the Caribbean region, Belize is a member of CARICOM and the Commonwealth Caribbean, historically known as the British West Indies.

1931: Devastating Hurricane and Unemployment

In 1931, a devastating hurricane struck the colony of Belize, worsening the effects of widespread unemployment during the Great Depression.

1931: Hurricane in Belize City

In 1931, an unnamed hurricane destroyed over two-thirds of the buildings in Belize City and killed more than 1,000 people.

1935: Elections Reinstated with Limited Eligibility

In 1935, elections were reinstated in Belize, but only 1.8 percent of the population was eligible to vote.

1949: Devaluation of British Honduras Dollar

In 1949, Britain's decision to devalue the British Honduras dollar worsened economic conditions in Belize and led to the creation of the People's Committee, which demanded independence.

1952: U.S. Peace Corps program in Belize

Since 1952, the U.S. Peace Corps has run a public health and education program in Belize through the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Program in Central America.

1954: First Election Under Universal Suffrage

In 1954, the first election under universal suffrage was held in Belize and was decisively won by the People's United Party (PUP).

1954: Women Win the Right to Vote

In 1954, women won the right to vote in Belize.

1955: Hurricane Janet levels Corozal

In 1955, Hurricane Janet levelled the northern town of Corozal in Belize.

1956: George Cadle Price became PUP's leader

In 1956, George Cadle Price became leader of the People's United Party (PUP).

1958: Migration of Plautdietsch-speaking Mennonites

After 1958, Plautdietsch-speaking Mennonites migrated mostly from Mexico to Belize.

1961: George Cadle Price Became Head of Government

In 1961, George Cadle Price became the effective head of government in Belize.

1961: Hurricane Hattie

In 1961, Hurricane Hattie caused major internal relocation in Belize.

1964: Britain Grants Self-Government

In 1964, Britain granted British Honduras self-government under a new constitution.

1971: Religious Demographics

According to PROLADES, in 1971, 64.6% of Belize's population was Catholic, 27.8% Protestant, and 7.6% of other faiths.

June 1973: British Honduras Renamed Belize

On June 1973, British Honduras was officially renamed Belize.

1974: Domination by PUP and UDP

Since 1974, the party system in Belize has been dominated by the centre-left People's United Party and the centre-right United Democratic Party.

1978: Hurricane Greta causes damage

In 1978, Hurricane Greta caused more than US$25 million in damage along the southern coast of Belize.

1980: RAF Harrier Detachment in Belize

In 1980, the RAF Harrier detachment remained stationed in Belize after its deployment became permanent.

1980: Belize's forest cover

In late 1980 Belize's forest cover was approximately 75.9%.

1980: Ethnic-Demographic Shift

Since 1980, Belize has experienced a substantial ethnic-demographic shift, with the Creole population being outnumbered by the Hispanic/Mestizo community due to emigration to the United States, a rising Mestizo birth rate, and migration from Latin America.

September 1981: Belize Achieves Independence

On September 1981, Belize achieved its independence from the United Kingdom, becoming the only mainland Central American country which is a Commonwealth realm.

September 1981: Belize Granted Independence, Guatemala Refuses Recognition

On September 1981, Belize was granted independence, but Guatemala refused to recognize the new nation due to a longstanding territorial dispute.

1981: United Kingdom Deterrent Force in Belize

After Belize achieved independence in 1981 the United Kingdom maintained a deterrent force (British Forces Belize) in the country.

1981: US becomes Diplomatic Partner

Since 1981, following their Independence, the United States (U.S.) has been a major diplomatic partner to Belize.

1984: Price Loses Premiership

In 1984, George Cadle Price lost his position as head of government.

1984: UDP Defeats PUP

In 1984, the PUP was defeated by the United Democratic Party (UDP) in the national election.

1986: Belize's citizenship-by-investment programme began

In 1986, Belize's citizenship-by-investment programme began.

1986: University College of Belize Founded

In 1986, the University College of Belize was founded.

1989: PUP Returns to Power

In 1989, the PUP under Price returned to power after elections.

1990: Forest cover in Belize

In 1990, Belize's forest cover was 1,600,030 hectares (ha).

1990: Limestone exploited for domestic or export use

In 1990, limestone, used in road construction, was the only mineral resource exploited for domestic or export use in Belize.

1990: Foundation of Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary

In 1990, the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary was founded as the first wilderness sanctuary for the jaguar.

1991: Religious Demographics

In 1991, Catholics formed 57% of Belize's population.

1993: UDP Regains Power

In 1993, the UDP regained power in the national election, and Esquivel became prime minister for a second time.

1994: British Soldiers Withdrawn

In 1994, British soldiers were withdrawn from Belize, but the United Kingdom left behind a military training unit.

1994: British Forces Main Departure

In 1994, the main British force left Belize, three years after Guatemala recognized Belizean independence, but the United Kingdom maintained a training presence.

1995: Original Member of WTO

In 1995, Belize became an original member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).

1996: Belize Barrier Reef Designated UNESCO World Heritage Site

In 1996, the Belize Barrier Reef was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

1997: BDF Strength in 1997

In 1997 the Belize Defence Force's regular army numbered more than 900, the reserve army 381, the air wing 45 and the maritime wing 36, amounting to an overall strength of approximately 1,400.

1997: Rise in price for citizenship

In 1997, the price of the Belize citizenship-by-investment programme rose from US$25,000 to US$50,000.

1998: Said Musa becomes Prime Minister

In 1998, Said Musa, the son of an immigrant from Palestine, became the Prime Minister of Belize.

1998: CARICOM Men's Basketball Championship Victory

In 1998, the Belize national basketball team won the CARICOM Men's Basketball Championship, held in Belize City.

1998: PUP Wins National Elections

In 1998, the PUP won a landslide victory in the national elections, and Said Musa was sworn in as prime minister.

1998: Damage to Belize's coral reef

It is claimed by scientists that over 40% of Belize's coral reef has been damaged since 1998.

1999: Centrobasquet Tournament Participation

In 1999, the Belize national basketball team participated in the Centrobasquet Tournament in Havana, finishing seventh out of eight teams.

1999: Tourist and construction sectors strengthened

The tourist and construction sectors strengthened in early 1999, leading to a preliminary estimate of revived growth at four percent.

2000: CARICOM Championship

In 2000, Belize placed fourth in the CARICOM championship in Barbados.

2000: Hurricane Keith hits nation

In 2000, Hurricane Keith, the wettest tropical cyclone in the nation's record, stalled, and hit the nation as a Category 4 storm on 1 October, causing 19 deaths and at least $280 million in damage.

2000: Religious Demographics

In 2000, the Catholic population decreased to 49% of Belize's total population.

October 2001: Hurricane Iris makes landfall

On 9 October 2001, Hurricane Iris made landfall at Monkey River Town as a Category 4 storm, demolishing most of the homes in the village and destroying the banana crop.

2001: Central American Games championship

In 2001, Belize won the Central American Games championship.

2001: Caribbean Community Vote

In 2001, the Caribbean Community heads of government voted on a measure declaring that the region should work towards replacing the UK's Judicial Committee of the Privy Council as final court of appeal with the Caribbean Court of Justice.

2003: PUP Maintains Majority in Elections

In 2003, the PUP maintained its majority in the elections, and Musa continued as prime minister.

2003: Last PUP Victory Before 2020

In 2003, was the last time the People's United Party (PUP) won before their victory in 2020.

2005: Unrest due to PUP Government Discontent

In 2005, Belize experienced unrest caused by discontent with the PUP government, including tax increases.

2005: Baháʼís in Belize

In 2005, it was estimated that there were 7,776 Baháʼís in Belize, comprising approximately 2.5% of the national population.

2005: Maritime Wing Becomes Coast Guard

In 2005, the maritime wing of the Belize Defence Force became part of the Belizean Coast Guard.

2006: COCABA championship

In 2006, the Belize national basketball team finished with a 2–4 record in the COCABA championship.

2006: Cultivation of crude oil

In 2006, the cultivation of newly discovered crude oil in the town of Spanish Lookout presented new prospects and problems for Belize.

2007: Belize becomes world's third largest exporter of papaya

In 2007 Belize became the world's third largest exporter of papaya.

2007: Belize backed UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

In 2007, Belize supported the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, establishing legal land rights for indigenous groups.

2007: Hurricane Dean makes landfall

In 2007, Hurricane Dean made landfall as a Category 5 storm only 40 km north of the Belize–Mexico border, causing extensive damage in northern Belize.

February 2008: Dean Barrow Sworn in as Prime Minister

On February 2008, Dean Barrow was sworn in as prime minister after his UDP won a landslide victory in general elections.

2008: End of Said Musa's Premiership

In 2008, Said Musa's tenure as the Prime Minister of Belize concluded.

2009: COCABA tournament

In 2009, the Belize national basketball team finished second in the COCABA tournament in Cancun, Mexico, with a 3-0 record in group play.

August 2010: Study Reveals Decreased Forest Cover

A study published in August 2010 revealed that Belize's forest cover was approximately 62.7% in early 2010.

October 2010: Hurricane Richard affects Belize

In October 2010, Belize was directly affected by Hurricane Richard, which made landfall approximately 32 kilometres south-southeast of Belize City, causing estimated damage of BZ$33.8 million.

December 2010: Belize bans bottom trawling

In December 2010, Belize became the first country in the world to completely ban bottom trawling.

2010: Religious Demographics

According to the 2010 census, 40.1% of Belizeans were Catholics and 31.8% were Protestants.

2010: Literacy Rate

As of 2010, the literacy rate in Belize was estimated to be 79.7%.

2010: Indo-Belizean Population

In 2010, Indo-Belizeans, also known as East Indian Belizeans, comprised 3.9% of Belize's population.

2010: Supreme Court ruling on customary land titles

In 2010, the Supreme Court of Belize acknowledged customary land titles as communal land for indigenous peoples.

2010: Centrobasquet Tournament

In the Centrobasquet Tournament in 2010, Belize won its opening match against Trinidad and Tobago but ultimately failed to qualify.

2011: Education Sector Strategy 2011-2016

In 2011, the "Education Sector Strategy 2011–2016" was initiated, setting three objectives for improving access, quality, and governance of the education system by providing technical and vocational education and training.

2011: Belize added to list of major drug transit countries

In 2011, the United States added Belize to the list of nations considered major drug producers or transit countries for narcotics.

2011: British Forces Depart Ladyville Barracks

In 2011, the last British Forces left Ladyville Barracks, with the exception of seconded advisers.

2012: UDP Re-elected with Smaller Majority

In 2012, Barrow and the UDP were re-elected with a considerably smaller majority.

2012: Tourism Statistics

In 2012, Belize recorded a total of 917,869 tourist arrivals, with approximately 584,683 visitors from the United States. Tourist receipts for the year amounted to over $1.3 billion.

2012: Belize Military Spending

In 2012, the Belizean government spent about $17 million on the military.

2013: Supreme Court upheld its ruling in 2010

In 2013, the Supreme Court of Belize upheld its 2010 ruling that recognizes customary land titles as communal land for indigenous people.

2014: Belize named as major money laundering country

Since 2014, the United States Department of State has named Belize as one of the world's "major money laundering countries".

November 2015: UDP Wins Third Consecutive General Election

In November 2015, Barrow led the UDP to a third consecutive general election victory.

December 2015: Belize bans offshore oil drilling

In December 2015, Belize banned offshore oil drilling within 1 km of the Barrier Reef and all of its seven World Heritage Sites.

2015: CCJ order on Belizean government

In 2015, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) ordered the Belizean government to develop a land registry to classify and exercise traditional governance over Mayan lands.

2016: Belize's biocapacity

In 2016, Belize had 3.8 global hectares of biocapacity per person within its territory, much more than the world average of 1.6 global hectares per person and Belize used 5.4 global hectares of biocapacity per person. As a result, Belize is running a biocapacity deficit.

2016: Request for assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

In 2016, Belize requested assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which led to the launch of a national migration policy plan.

2016: Simone Biles wins four gold medals

In 2016, Simone Biles, a dual citizen of the United States and Belize, won four gold medals at the Rio Summer Olympics.

2016: Education Sector Strategy 2011-2016

In 2016, the "Education Sector Strategy 2011–2016" was in effect, setting three objectives for improving access, quality, and governance of the education system by providing technical and vocational education and training.

2017: Belize struggles to recognize indigenous populations

As of 2017, Belize was still struggling to recognize indigenous populations and their rights.

2017: Oil production in Belize

As of 2017, oil production in Belize was 320 m/d (2,000 bbl/d).

April 2018: Guatemala Referendum on ICJ Claim

On April 2018, Guatemala's government held a referendum to determine if the country should take its territorial claim on Belize to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

2018: Belize's Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score

Belize had a 2018 Forest Landscape Integrity Index mean score of 6.15/10, ranking it 85th globally out of 172 countries.

2018: Belize Population Growth Rate

In 2018, Belize had a population growth rate of 1.87% per year.

2018: Request to the ICJ

In 2018, Belize submitted request to the ICJ.

2018: Launch of a national migration policy plan

In 2018, a national migration policy plan was launched in Belize, following a request for assistance from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in 2016.

April 2019: Postponement of Belize Referendum

In April 2019, a referendum was to be held in Belize, but a court ruling led to its postponement.

May 2019: Belize Votes to Send Claim to ICJ

On May 2019, Belize held a referendum and voted to send the territorial claim to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

2019: Workforce Participation and Representation in National Assembly

In 2019, 49.9% of women in Belize participated in the workforce, compared to 80.6% of men. Women held 11.1% of the seats in Belize's National Assembly.

2019: Request to the ICJ

In 2019, Belize submitted request to the ICJ.

2019: Gender Inequality Index Score

In 2019, the UN gave Belize a Gender Inequality Index score of 0.415, ranking it 97th out of 162 countries.

November 2020: PUP Defeats UDP, Briceño Takes Office

On November 2020, the People's United Party (PUP), led by Johnny Briceño, defeated the United Democratic Party (UDP), and Briceño took office as Prime Minister.

December 2020: Guatemala's Initial Brief Submitted

In December 2020, Guatemala's initial brief was submitted to the ICJ.

2020: Border Dispute Remains Unresolved

As of 2020, the border dispute between Belize and Guatemala remains unresolved and contentious.

2020: Aid from the United States

Between 2020 and 2023, Belize received $2.62 billion U.S. dollars in aid from the United States to combat trafficking, narcotic smuggling, and organized gang violence.

2020: Forest cover in Belize in 2020

In 2020, forest cover in Belize was around 56% of the total land area, equivalent to 1,277,050 hectares.

2020: Belizeans in U.S. Census Data

In the 2020 U.S. Census Data, Belizeans ranked fourth among the largest "Some Other Race Alone" or "Some Other Race Alone or in Any Combination" group.

2021: Global Gender Gap Report Ranking

In 2021, the World Economic Forum ranked Belize 90th out of 156 countries in its Global Gender Gap Report.

2022: Population and Vital Statistics

According to the 2022 census, Belize's population stood at 397,483. The birth rate was 17.8 births per 1,000 population, and the death rate was 6.3 deaths per 1,000 population.

2022: Renewable sources accounted for 53% of total gross electricity generation

As of 2022, renewable sources accounted for 53% of total gross electricity generation, highlighting significant progress towards this goal.

2022: Belize Population

In 2022, Belize had a population of 397,483.

2022: Belize's Response Submitted

In 2022, Belize's response was submitted to the ICJ.

2022: Government of Belize's National Digital Agenda 2022–2025

In 2022, the Government of Belize initiated the National Digital Agenda 2022–2025, aiming to enhance digital infrastructure and connectivity across the country. Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) actively expanded its service offerings in alignment with this agenda.

2022: Hurricane Lisa makes landfall in Belize

The most recent hurricane to make landfall in Belize was Hurricane Lisa in 2022.

June 2023: Written Submissions End

On June 2023, the stage of written submissions ended in the ICJ case between Belize and Guatemala.

2023: Belize's greenhouse gas emissions

As a country, Belize's 2023 greenhouse gas emissions are relatively low (7.46 million tonnes), however, it ranks as the 13th highest country for per capita emissions, at 18.13 tonnes per person.

2023: Aid from the United States

Between 2020 and 2023, Belize received $2.62 billion U.S. dollars in aid from the United States to combat trafficking, narcotic smuggling, and organized gang violence.

2023: Homicide Rate

In 2023, 87 murders were recorded in Belize, resulting in a homicide rate of 19.7 murders per 100,000 inhabitants. Belize District had the most murders.

2023: Belize Certified for Malaria Elimination

In 2023, Belize became the second Central American country to be awarded certification for the elimination of malaria by the WHO.

2023: Crime Statistics

In 2023, Belize reported 34 cases of rape, 170 robberies, 628 burglaries, and 118 cases of theft.

2023: Government of Belize's National Energy Policy 2023–2040

The Government of Belize's National Energy Policy 2023–2040 outlines a commitment to achieving 75% renewable energy in the electricity generation mix by 2030.

2024: BEL completes upgrade of West Lake Gas Turbine

In 2024, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) completed an upgrade of the West Lake Gas Turbine, increasing its capacity from 19 MW to 30 MW, and a new gas turbine was installed on Ambergris Caye, adding 20 MW of generation capacity to the national grid.

2024: MCC Assistance

In 2024, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) was a big step in addressing further growth in the economy of Belize.

2024: BEL proposes investment in renewable energy

In its 2024–2028 Full Tariff Review, BEL proposed a $500 million investment to support the integration of 60 MW of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and 40 MW of battery energy storage systems.

2025: Government of Belize's National Digital Agenda 2022–2025

In 2025, the Government of Belize will complete the National Digital Agenda 2022–2025, which aims to enhance digital infrastructure and connectivity across the country. Belize Telemedia Limited (BTL) is actively expanding its service offerings in alignment with this agenda.

2028: BEL proposed investment in renewable energy in 2024-2028 Full Tariff Review

2030: UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

According to the 50-page voluntary national report Belize created on its progress toward the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, indigenous groups are not factored into the country's indicators whatsoever.

2030: National Energy Policy commitment to renewable energy

The Government of Belize's National Energy Policy 2023–2040 outlines a commitment to achieving 75% renewable energy in the electricity generation mix by 2030.

2040: Government of Belize's National Energy Policy 2023–2040

The Government of Belize's National Energy Policy 2023–2040 outlines a commitment to achieving 75% renewable energy in the electricity generation mix by 2030.