Landau Meets Belizean PM Briceño

US and Belize leaders discuss cooperation on narcotics, migration, and regional issues

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:52am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty conference room with a large wooden table and chairs, the scene bathed in warm, golden light streaming through the windows, conceptually representing a high-level political negotiation.A diplomatic meeting between U.S. and Belize officials underscores the strategic importance of their partnership in addressing regional challenges.Washington Today

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with Belize Prime Minister John Briceño, Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca, Ambassador Nestor Mendez, and Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff Stuart Leslie in Washington, D.C. to reaffirm the strong partnership between the United States and Belize and discuss enhanced cooperation to combat narcotics trafficking and illegal migration, as well as energy opportunities and regional challenges.

Why it matters

The meeting between high-level US and Belize officials highlights the strategic importance of the US-Belize relationship, particularly in addressing shared concerns around transnational crime and regional stability in Central America.

The details

During the meeting, Deputy Secretary Landau and Prime Minister Briceño discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries on issues like narcotics trafficking and illegal migration. They also talked about potential energy opportunities and other regional challenges facing Belize and its neighbors.

  • The meeting took place on April 18, 2026 in Washington, D.C.

The players

Christopher Landau

The Deputy Secretary of State of the United States.

John Briceño

The Prime Minister of Belize.

Francis Fonseca

The Foreign Minister of Belize.

Nestor Mendez

The Ambassador of Belize to the United States.

Stuart Leslie

The Cabinet Secretary and Chief of Staff of Belize.

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What they’re saying

“As stated by Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott:”

— Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

The takeaway

This high-level meeting demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the US and Belize to strengthen their strategic partnership and jointly address regional security challenges in Central America.