Griffith also gave us an update on the situation at the Old Mexico-Belize Bridge between the Corozal Free Zone and Subtiniente Lopez. The former border crossing, which was frequently used by "fayuqueros", to smuggle goods from the free zone into Mexico was closed to vehicles in May. The fayuqueros responded to the closure, by blocking the Federal Mexican Highway to the Chactemal Bridge, the official border crossing. The protest was cleared up by the Mexican military in less than half an hour, and since May, there have been no reports of further revolt. Here what the Comptroller told us...
Colin Griffith, Customs Comptroller
"On the Belize side of the bridge you would have checkpoints on certain days. This is also in collaboration with the Corozal Free Zone and we continue to monitor that area and we can say that the exportation of commercial shipment through the old bridge has ceased. They have now been directed to the new bridge that has been requested by our Mexican counterparts. But that exercise is ongoing."
"I can't really speak to what happens on the Mexican side. I know for a fact that the Mexican have expressed that they cannot charge the requisites duties on the old bridge. Therefore they requested from Belize Customs if we could assist to have the goods being exported through the new bridge where they will be able to charge the duties whatsoever that is in compliance with the Mexican custom laws. The Mexican Customs cannot function at the old bridge."
The closure of the Mexico-Belize Bridge is only meant to be temporary and is still open to pedestrians to cross.
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