Belize to Attend 9th Summit of the Americas

Over the past few weeks, CARICOM nations have been deliberating whether they will attend the upcoming Summit of the Americas. Well, after much discussion, CARICOM has decided that member states that choose to attend are at liberty to do so. Initially, CARICOM was prepared to boycott the summit, following the United States of America’s refusal to invite Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua to the Summit. And, while Prime Minister John Briceño has announced that Belize will be in attendance, reports are that a couple CARICOM nations are still holding out. U.S. officials are reportedly still in deliberation and are yet to make a final decision on whether the country will change its position. Here is what Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere at the United State’s National Security Council, Juan Gonzalez had to say during a regional teleconference earlier today.

Juan S. Gonzalez

On the Phone: Juan S. Gonzalez, Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere, National Security Council U.S.A

“I am not going to get into the specifics of the deliberation, because I think fundamentally what this administration is done, whether it is on this topic or any topic is treated the countries of the region as our partners, whose views we have to take into serious account, certainly with Mexico and others that have experienced a view. We have started to engage in a conversation and be very respectful of the different perspectives. And, ultimately it is something that as the host prerogative we will make that final decision and we will announce that once the decision has been made. Is it a distraction from the summit itself? Look, I don’t think so, it is hard to confirm anything until it happens, but we are confident that the summit will be well attended.”

The ninth Summit of the Americas is scheduled for June sixth to the tenth, 2022.