Belize Participates Virtually in CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting

The 48th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting started in Barbados on Wednesday and will run through until Friday, February 21. This meeting’s key topics focus on food & nutrition security, climate change & climate finance, the Haiti crisis & security issues, and digital resilience & external relations. 

According to Foreign Affairs Minister Francis Fonseca, he stated that Belize is participating virtually. He added that despite the lack of in-person attendance, Belize is fully engaged in the summit’s discussions.

Fonseca explained that Belize’s decision to attend the summit remotely is due to the upcoming national elections, with both Prime Minister John Briceño and Fonseca on the ballot.

When asked if the upcoming election was taking priority over national interests, Fonseca rejected the idea, stating, “Absolutely not… We are fully participating in the meeting. We’re not missing out on anything, so there is no question of us putting any interest ahead of any other interests.”

He added, “Ambassador Lawrence, CEO Mai, participated in everything. The only thing we won’t be able to participate in is the ‘closed meeting of the summit,’ which is really a few hours where the leaders are alone, completely alone.”