The republic of El Salvador is to build its embassy in Belmopan, capital of Belize, according to an official announcement made by Cindy Mariella Portal Vice Minister For Diaspora Relations of El Salvador during a recent visit to Belize. “As part of the mandate of the government of president Nayib Bukele, and on behalf of our people, we have laid the cornerstone of the new embassy of El Salvador in Belize,” stated Portal during a tour of Belize over the weekend of 15 and 16 May 2021. “In this same location we will house the Consulate General of El Salvador to render consular services, assistance and protection to the more than 60,000 Salvadorans that reside in Belize” she added.
The land where the new embassy will be constructed was contributed to El Salvador by the government of Belize 30 years ago and is immediately adjacent to the embassy of Mexico facing south and looking to Independence Hill, seat of Belize’s parliament, and next door to the British High Commission in Belmopan. Along with the United States of America, these are the only countries that have so far constructed their own embassies in Belize since the country gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. All other embassies and consulates in Belize rent office space, some in the capital, and others in the former capital Belize city. According to Portal the embassy building will result in an annual savings of $50,000. in rent monies.
During her tour of Belize Minister Portal visited Salvadoran communities in Belize, including the Valley of Belize, Las Flores Belmopan, and San Pedro Ambergris Caye.
She met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs C.E.O. Amalia Mai, and with Belizean officials of Salvadoran origin, including Minister of State in the Ministry of Defence Brian Mira, and Deputy Mayor of Belmopan Guadalupe Chicas.