What Is the Treaty of Madrid Belize?

By Alice Nichols

The Treaty of Madrid Belize refers to a legal agreement signed on July 8, 1893, between the United Kingdom and Guatemala. The treaty was meant to settle the territorial dispute between the two countries over the land that is now known as Belize.

Background:
The dispute began in the 18th century when Spain claimed ownership of the land which was then a British colony. In 1821, when Guatemala became independent of Spain, it inherited the claim over Belize. However, Britain continued to rule the territory and eventually declared it a Crown Colony in 1862.

The Treaty:
The Treaty of Madrid Belize was signed after years of negotiations between Britain and Guatemala. The treaty recognized Britain’s sovereignty over Belize but also obligated Britain to build a road from Guatemala to the Caribbean coast through Belize.

Terms of the Treaty:

The treaty had several terms that were meant to resolve the territorial dispute. Some of these terms include:

  • Recognition of British sovereignty over Belize
  • The establishment of a commission to demarcate the borders between Guatemala and Belize
  • The construction of a road from Guatemala to Punta Gorda, a coastal town in southern Belize
  • The right for Guatemala to use rivers and waterways in northern Belize for commerce

Aftermath:

Despite signing the treaty, tensions remained high between Britain and Guatemala. In 1936, Guatemala declared that it no longer recognized the treaty and renewed its claim over Belize. This led to decades-long tensions between both countries.

It wasn’t until September 21, 1981, that Belize gained independence from Britain and became its own sovereign nation. However, even after gaining independence, Guatemala continued its claim on some parts of southern Belize.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while The Treaty of Madrid settled the territorial dispute between Britain and Guatemala, it didn’t completely resolve the issue. Today, Belize continues to face challenges from Guatemala’s territorial claim over some parts of its territory. However, the treaty remains an important historical document that helped shape the course of Belize’s history.