Belize celebrates 45th Independence anniversary

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Tues. Sept. 22, 2026

   Belizeans celebrated their 45th anniversary of Independence in Belize City with a ceremony at the Memorial Park and a parade featuring schools, uniformed organizations, and citizens, followed by an all-day Bram that continued well into the evening at DigiPark in Belize City on Monday, September 21.

   Belize City mayor Bernard Wagner received the salute from the honor guard mounted by the Belize Defence Force. After an invocation by Pastor Ruth Pipersburgh, Deputy Mayor Eluide Miller welcomed all in attendance, citing “the sacrifice, discipline, and service that make this celebration possible.” “We see our colors, we hear our anthem, we take pride in the ceremony and the pageantry of this morning. Independence Day should cause us to reflect on what was required to secure our sovereignty, and what will be required of us to make that freedom meaningful in the lives of our people,” he said.

   “Belize needs what you can bring, in your neighborhood, your profession, your business, your art, your service, and in everyday choices you make, to care about the future of someone beyond yourself. You have a role in this nation. Belize is the standard we uphold, the neighbor we help, the work we complete, and the future you choose to build together. Let the pride we feel today become the purpose in the world that we do tomorrow,” Miller remarked.

   In his keynote address to the crowd, outgoing Belize City mayor Bernard Wagner noted, “Independence was never the end of our journey. It was the beginning of our opportunity to build a country in which our people could live with dignity, shape their own futures, and give their children more than they themselves had known.” He then added, “Forty-five years later, that opportunity still remains alive. Because independence is not one triumphant moment frozen in history; it is a responsibility carried across generations, a relay, so to speak, in which no leader, no government, and no citizen runs the entire distance alone.”

   In his final Independence Day address as Belize City mayor, Mayor Wagner made reference to what he was able to achieve over his three terms: “During my 9 years, we have upgraded 300 streets. But that ambition does not end where the pavement ends. Through our partnership with the European Union and the United Nations Development Program and other agencies, our pioneering electric buses have delivered around half a million rides in just two years. Because progress means giving our people better ways to reach their opportunities, through climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives, such as the Yabra pumping station and our ongoing floating Boardwalk Project, we are investing in a city better prepared for tomorrow. Our responsibility is not merely to respond when danger arrives, but to act while there is still time to protect what matters,” he said.

   He further noted, “We have worked with the Christian Workers Union to develop fair, equitable collective bargaining agreements; and we continue to invest in the city’s employees. We have created a positive culture at City Hall; now you know everybody wants to work at City Hall. Our Downtown Super Sales, our community fairs, our night festivals, our summer programs, and other vending opportunities have helped move more than $10 million through businesses, many owned by our own residents, our women and our young entrepreneurs. Behind those dollars, school fees are being paid, house bills paid, new investments and the dignity of earning a living from one’s own talent. Together we have brought renewed life to our city; we have restored joy to parks and playgrounds. We have connected underserved communities. We have supported students through our student hubs. We have enhanced traffic management by working smarter and not harder, using innovation and technology; and we have invested in our people’s health, education, and dignity.”

   He went on to remark, “We are not asking young people to wait for tomorrow before they leave. Through our child advisory body, our Youth Shadow Council, young people are helping shape the city today. Their hands are already upon the baton. Women occupy most of the decision seats at City Hall; and the average age of our managers and directors is only 30 years old.”

“Our progress is also a story of financial confidence. Investors have entrusted more than $90 million dollars to Belize City through municipal securities, of which $45 million has been retired, with no default. Cities abroad continue to reach out to pursue sister-city relations, because they see a credible partner. They see a thriving city,” Wagner declared.

   A similar ceremony was held in the capital Belmopan, presided over by the Governor General H.E. Dame Froyla Tzalam, and Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño delivered his Independence Day address, before the citizens’ parade.