Government and Politics

Government and Politics of Belize

Government structure, leadership, capital, military, and national symbols of Belize.

Government Structure

Constitutional foundations, branches, parties, and leadership.

Government Type: parliamentary democracy
Administrative Divisions: 6 districts; Belize, Cayo, Corozal, Orange Walk, Stann Creek, Toledo
Legal System: English law
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: yes citizenship by descent only: yes dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Executive Branch: Chief of state: King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022), represented by Governor General Froyla TZALAM (since 6 May 2021) Head of government: Prime Minister John BRICENO (since 12 November 2020); Deputy Prime Minister Cordel HYDE (since 12 November 2020) Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister Elections/appointments: The monarchy is hereditary; the governor general is appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is typically appointed prime minister by the governor general; the prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Legislative Branch: bicameral National Assembly consists of the Senate (12 members appointed by the governor general - 6 on the advice of the prime minister, 3 on the advice of the leader of the opposition, and 1 each on the advice of the Belize Council of Churches and Evangelical Association of Churches, the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Belize Better Business Bureau, and the National Trade Union Congress and the Civil Society Steering Committee; members are appointed for five-year terms) and the House of Representatives (29 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 March 2003 (next to be held March 2008) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - PUP 21, UDP 8
Judicial Branch: Supreme Court (the chief justice is appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister)
Political Parties: People's United Party or PUP [Said MUSA]; United Democratic Party or UDP [Dean BARROW, party leader; Douglas SINGH, party chairman]
Head of State: Queen ELIZABETH II
Head of Government: Prime Minister Dean BARROW
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
Elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch; following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the governor general; prime minister recommends the deputy prime minister
Constitution: 21-Sep-81
Independence: 21 September 1981 (from UK)
National Holiday: Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
International Organization Participation: ACP, C, Caricom, CDB, FAO, G-77, IADB, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITU, LAES, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTrO
Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.: chief of mission: Ambassador Lisa M. SHOMAN chancery: 2535 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 332-9636 FAX: [1] (202) 332-6888 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles
U.S. Diplomatic Representation: chief of mission: Ambassador Robert J. DIETER embassy: 29 Gabourel Lane, Belize City mailing address: P. O. Box 286, Belize City telephone: [501] 227-7161 through 7163 FAX: [501] 2-30802

Capital City

Seat of government and political history.

Capital City: Belmopan
Location: 17 15 N, 88 46 W
Time Difference: UTC-6 (1 hour behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
History: the decision to move the capital of the country inland to higher and more stable land was made in the 1960s; the name chosen for the new city was formed from the union of two words: "Belize," the name of the longest river in the country, and "Mopan," one of the rivers in the area of the new capital that empties into the Belize River

Embassy and Diplomatic Representation

Embassy location and contact details.

U.S. Embassy Belmopan # 4 Floral Park Road Belmopan, Cayo District Belize, Central America Telephone: 011-501-822-4011 Emergency after-hours telephone: 011-501-610-5030 Facsimile: 011-501-822-4050

Military

Branches, service obligations, expenditures, and manpower.

Military Branches: Belize Defense Force (BDF): Army, BDF Air Wing (includes Special Boat Unit), BDF Volunteer Guard
Service Age and Obligation: 18 years of age for voluntary military service; laws allow for conscription only if volunteers are insufficient; conscription has never been implemented; volunteers typically outnumber available positions by 3:1; initial service obligation is 12 years

National Symbols

Flag, anthem, and other symbols of national identity.

National Flag

Flag Symbolism: blue with a narrow red stripe along the top and the bottom edges; centered is a large white disk bearing the coat of arms; the coat of arms features a shield flanked by two workers in front of a mahogany tree with the related motto SUB UMBRA FLOREO (I Flourish in the Shade) on a scroll at the bottom, all encircled by a green garland
Flag History: Blue and red are the colors of the ruling and opposition parties. The 50 leaves in the wreath symbolize 1950 when the independence movement began. The two men supporting the mohogany tree represent racial diversity.
Date of Adoption: 21 September 1981

National Anthem

Anthem Lyrics (English): O. Land of the Free by the Carib Sea, Our manhood we pledge to thy liberty! No tyrants here linger, despots must flee This tranquil haven of democracy The blood of our sires which hallows the sod, Brought freedom from slavery oppression's rod, By the might of truth and the grace of God, No longer shall we be hewers of wood. Arise! ye sons of the Baymen's clan, Put on your armour, clear the land! Drive back the tyrants, let despots flee - Land of the Free by the Carib Sea! Nature has blessed thee with wealth untold, O'er mountains and valleys where prairies roll; Our fathers, the Baymen, valiant and bold Drove back the invader; this heritage hold From proud Rio Hondo to old Sarstoon, Through coral isle, over blue lagoon; Keep watch with the angels, the stars and moon; For freedom comes tomorrow's noon.

Other National Symbols

National Flower
Black Orchid (Trichoglottis brachiata)
Black Orchids acquired the name by virtue of their very dark intense colour, which tends to the dark brown and maroon.
National Tree
mahogany
Coat of Arms
The shield of the Coat of Arms is divided into three sections by a vertical line and an inverted V. The base section represents a ship in full sail on waves of the sea. The two upper sections show tools of the timber industry in Belize: a paddle and a squaring axe in the right section and a saw Supporting the shield are two woodcutters, the one on the right holding a beating axe over his shoulder in his right hand, and the one on the left holding a paddle over his shoulder in his left hand. Above the sheild rises a mahogany tree. Below the sheild is the motto scroll. A wreath of leaves encircles the Coat of Arms. The Coat of Arms embodies an important aspect of the history of Belize, as the mahogany industry formed the basis of our economy in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Motto
“Sub Umbra Florero” - These latin words mean, “Under the shade I flourish.”
National Bird
Keel Billed Toucan (Ramphastos Solfurantus)
It is noted for its great, canoe-shaped bill, brightly colored green, blue, red and orange feathers The bird is about 20 inches in overall length. It is mostly black with bright yellow cheeks and chest, red under the tail and a distinctive white patch at the base of the tail.
National Animal
Tapir or Mountain Cow (Tapirello Bairdii)
The tapir is a stoutly built animal with short legs, about the size of a donkey and weighs up to 600 pounds. Its general color is dusty brown with a white fringe around the eyes and lips, white tipped ears and occasional white patches of fur on the throat and chest. In spite of it's local name, the tapir is not a cow. It is closely related to the horse and is also kin to the rhinosceros. The tapir is a vegetarian. It spends much of its time in water or mud shallows, and is a strong swimmer.
Motto
“Sub Umbra Florero” - These latin words me, “Under the shade I flourish.”

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