Over the weekend, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian A. Nichols, arrived in Belize for an official visit from October 5–8. Nichols oversees the operations of U.S. diplomatic missions in countries across North, Central, and South America as well as the Caribbean. 

In a statement issued by the U.S. Department of State, Nichols’ meeting with Prime Minister John Briceño and Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca would focus on “security and inclusive economic prosperity in Belize and throughout the region.”

On Monday, Prime Minister John Briceño and Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, met with Nichols. That same day, Nichols, along with US Ambassador to Belize, Michelle Kwan, visited Corazon Creek Technical High School in Toledo to see firsthand the enhancements funded by the U.S. Department of Defence. 

In a post on X, Nichols said, “Excellent and productive meeting with PM John Briceño to thank him for Belize’s leadership in supporting the Haiti Multinational Security Support mission and Belize’s vital contributions on migration management, security, and the rule of law.

In a separate post, he stated, “Glad to meet today with Francis Fonseca. Grateful for Belize’s leadership in deploying among the Western Hemisphere’s first contributing forces to the Haiti Multinational Security Support mission. Thanks also for your stalwart partnership on migration management in the region.

On Sunday, he noted his “discussion with business leaders in Belize.” He stated that “work is being done to relaunch Belize’s AmCham chapter, and we look forward to continuing our countries’ strong, productive relationship.”