Belize Mexico
Belize (08/04)
Trade: Exports (2002)--$294.5 million: cane sugar, clothing, citrus concentrate, lobster, fish, banana, and farmed shrimp. Major markets--U.S. (54.5%), U.K., CARICOM. Imports (2002)--$526.8 million: food, consumer goods, building materials, vehicles, machinery, petroleum products. Major suppliers--U.S. (60%), Mexico, U.K. Official exchange rate: Since 1976 Belizean banks have bought U.S. dollars at the rate of 2.0175 and sold them at 1.9825, making for an effective fixed rate of Belize $2=U.S. $1. ... [Read More]
Background Notes
Belize's economic performance is highly susceptible to external market changes. Although moderate growth has been achieved in recent years, the achievements are vulnerable to world commodity price fluctuations and continuation of preferential trading agreements, especially with the U.S. (cane sugar) and U.K. (bananas). Belize continues to rely heavily on foreign trade, with the United States as its number one trading partner. Total imports in 2000 totaled $446 million, while total exports were only $228.6 million. In 2000, the U.S. accounted for 48.5% of Belize's total exports and provided 49.7% of all Belizean imports. Other major trading partners include the U.K., European Union, Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) member states. ... [Read More]
Mexico/ Central America/ Carribbean – Educational Advising Centers – EducationUSA
Chihuahua, Chihuahua | Guadalajara, Jalisco | Hermosillo, Sonora | Merida, Yucatan | Mexicali, Baja California | Mexico City, Distrito Federal | Monterrey, Nuevo Leon | Morelia, Michoacan | Oaxaca, Oaxaca | Saltillo, Coahuila | San Luis Potosí, Mexico | Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas | Xalapa, Veracruz MEXICO - Chihuahua, Chihuahua ... [Read More]
V. Country Narratives -- Countries A through G
Guatemala is a source, transit, and destination country for women and children from Guatemala and other Central American countries trafficked internally and to the United States for the purposes of sexual and labor exploitation. Estimates of the total number of victims are difficult to assess; however, the Government of Guatemala acknowledges that trafficking is a significant and growing problem in the country as well as in the region. Past estimates by reliable sources cite large numbers of minors engaged in underage prostitution (2,000 in Guatemala City alone) throughout the country, with particular concern in the border area between Guatemala and Mexico. There are also anecdotal reports of forced labor trafficking in the country involving children used in begging rings in Guatemala City. Guatemala is a significant transit country for illegal migration, and many of these individuals may be trafficking v ... [Read More]
U.S. Department of State Websites of U.S. Embassies and Consulates
• Mexico: Mexico City ... • Mexico: Monterrey ... • Mexico: Tijuana• Netherlands Antilles: Curacao ... [Read More]
Canada, Mexico, and Central America
As much as 90 percent of the cocaine sold in the U.S. is smuggled through Mexican territory from South America. Mexico is also one of the largest producers of marijuana and heroin consumed in the U.S. Most cocaine smuggled through Mexico arrives by maritime means, including commercial shipping, with ocean vessels moving large quantities along the eastern Pacific and through the Gulf of California, and fishing vessels and go-fast boats operating in the Pacific between the northern coast of South America and the southern coast of Mexico. While the Pacific coast of Mexico remained the preferred smuggling route for Andean cocaine, there is increased trafficking through the western Caribbean—possibly a response to the success of Mexican and regional interdiction operations. In addition, traffickers used air cargo, couriers, and mail parcels through Mexico and Central America as alternate smuggling routes. ... [Read More]
F) Canada, Mexico, and Central America
The effectiveness of both national and bilateral efforts against drug crimes will depend largely on demonstrable progress in disrupting and dismantling transnational narcotics trafficking organizations. This includes apprehending, prosecuting and convicting major drug traffickers, and exposing and prosecuting individuals and businesses involved in providing critical support networks such as money laundering and front companies, security, transportation, and warehousing. Successful law enforcement efforts will be rendered meaningless without strong judicial action. In addition to striving toward the broad strategic objectives, U.S.-Mexico law enforcement cooperation needs to focus on resolving specific obstacles:While we made measurable progress in 2001 in reducing the production and flow of illicit drugs through Mexico and into the U.S., cooperation needs to be institutionalized if we are to sustain these efforts. Continuation of programs to exchange information and experie ... [Read More]
Visiting Belize
VISITING BELIZE Belize, previously known as British Honduras, lies on the East coast of Central America in the heart of the Caribbean Basin, bordering on Mexico to the North, Guatemala to the West and South, and flanked by the Caribbean Sea to the East. Thousands of Americans visit Belize every year, drawn by the clear blue ocean, world-class diving, Mayan ruins, and lush jungles. Still others come to explore the possibility of doing business in the country. T ... [Read More]
F) Canada, Mexico, and Central America
Demand Reduction. Internal drug consumption continues to spiral upward in Mexico. According to recent surveys by Mexico’s Secretary of Health and the National Council Against Addictions (CONADIC), internal drug abuse has expanded dramatically during the past ten years with a 300 percent increase in consumption since 1998. The increase is seen with regard to all drugs; cocaine use now rivals that of marijuana among young users. Further, the age of initiation of drug use has declined, with children as young as ten years of age beginning to abuse drugs. Illegal drug consumption is highest among the regions along the U.S.-Mexico border and in many major urban areas in Mexico’s central region, including Mexico City. This corresponds to reports of increased drug availability in these areas. During the unveiling of the National Drug Control Plan in early November, President Fox and other senior officials publicly expressed concern over these consumption trends. ... [Read More]
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