Will Belize Impose Visa Requirements for Venezuelans?

During the press conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was revealed that visa requirements have been imposed for Venezuelan nationals in several Central American countries. Belize has had long-standing bilateral relations with Venezuela, so Minister Eamon Courtenay was asked if Belizean authorities are considering visa requirements as well.

Eamon Courtenay, Minister of Immigration

“I believe, because of the irregular flow of migrants, Guatemala has now imposed a visa requirement for Venezuelans and Ecuadorans going into Guatemala. Mexico, tomorrow I believe it is, Mexico will now impose a visa requirement for Venezuelans. Because of these hurdles persons are finding other ways to go north. We are in cooperation with our international partners who track these things and who look at flows, closely monitoring the flow of persons into and through Belize. As a result of this particular flight, we will have to have far more detailed discussions with the authorities in Panama. We will also have to have deeper discussions with the authorities from COPA. The Government of Belize, in cooperation with our partners and in accordance with law, intends to fight to the best of our ability against the irregular flow of migrants through Belize.”

Eamon Courtenay

Reporter

“Any indication as it relates to imposing visa requirement for these persons from Venezuela and these other countries in the south who may want to venture north – like you say. Is there any talks in the making at this point?”

Eamon Courtenay

“Well first of all, it has to be driven by data and the director in fact just printed the data for the COPA flights. Remember the visa will apply not to coming from Panama, but to your nationality. So we will have to look and stuff the nationality of persons who are coming and look at those who we can conclude are irregular.”