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Belize makes official proposal to extend Maya Train into neighboring country

Riviera Maya, Q.R. — The Prime Minister of Belize says his government has requested Mexico expand the Maya Train across the Hondo River and into Belize. Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceño says the request has been formally made to President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.

According to Briceño, his government would like to see the train expanded in two stages that would have the Tren Maya railway project reach the border with Guatemala. The proposal, he said, seeks to strengthen regional integration and facilitate economic and tourism exchange.

Briceño explained that the first stage would include the construction of just over seven kilometers of track connecting the south of Quintana Roo with Belize. The second stage proposes the extension of the railway to the border with Guatemala, passing through Tikal, one of the main tourist attractions in the region, stressing the importance of this project for regional development.

Briceño assured that in a first meeting he had with Sheinbaum, she was willing to follow up on the two current proposals being offered by the Belize government after talks that began with the previous administration of López Obrador in 2022.

“Last year I sent a letter to the President. When I met her in October in Mexico City, we talked about the Maya Train and she continues to support this plan. She assured me that she wants to continue the work that President López Obrador started.

Briceño has proposed the project in two stages.

“The letter was to follow up on the two proposals we have, the first is that we can bring the train to the entrance of Belize from Chetumal, and the second is that it can go from here in Belize to Guatemala City. The studies still need to be done, but I am very hopeful that this can be consolidated,” he explained.

“This would bring many benefits to Belize. It could open a new market for tourists since those who come to Cancun are often from Europe and we don’t have many visitors from Europe, but rather they are Americans. With the Maya Train, it would be much easier for them to travel to Belize.

“Also in trade, Mexico is a country from which we import millions of dollars, so with the train moving products from Mexico to Belize would be easier and also moving our products not only to Mexico, but to the United States and Canada, so it is an opportunity for everyone to win,” he said.

The first stage would see the Tren Maya tracks extended from Chetumal to the border with Belize.

The proposal is awaiting an official response from President Sheinbaum. In 2023, Governor Mara Lezama Espinoza broached the topic of a Tren Maya extension into Belize as a proposal once Mexico’s seven Tren Maya sections were complete.