The Belize Chiquibul National Park was once a place of serenity. But recently, specks of brown and white appeared in the forest, herds of Guatemalan cattle grazing on the pristine land. Locals lament against the intrusion; from conservationists to farmers, they’ve made themselves very clear, but hundreds of miles away in Belmopan, the government has yet to give a single answer. Ever since its independence from the United Kingdom in September 1981, the small coastal state, sandwiched between Guatemala and Mexico, has consistently ranked among one of the most democratic and politically active in the region, a flourishing parliamentary democracy. And as democracy and prosperity have begun their continuous backslide within Central America, it’s necessary to analyze this issue and see how addressing this erosion of democracy requires a multi-pronged approach concerning proper budget management, and anti-corruption campaigns from the Belizean government.
Jiadong Gu
Fellow
Bellevue Senior High School
Washington, United States
A sophomore at Bellevue High School in Bellevue, Washington, Jiadong's favorite fields of interest are computer science, economics, and foreign relations. Outside of SPRING, Jiadong is an avid programmer and captain on his school debate team. He enjoys aircraft modeling, biking, and traveling.
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Published on January 6, 2026•SPRING Democracy