Mexico gifts “25 for 25” book collection to Belize

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 29, 2026

   The Belize National Library and Information System was the grateful recipient of the “25 for 25” book collection, which the Institute of Mexico in Belize gifted to the Leo Bradley Library in Belize City last Friday morning, June 26.

   The collection reflects the richness and diversity of Latin America’s cultural and intellectual heritage, and invites Belizean readers to deepen intercultural dialogue, foster mutual understanding, and strengthen the bonds that unite our communities, as Mexico’s Ambassador to Belize, H.E. Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba noted when she presented the gift to chief librarian, Lusiola Castillo. She said, “Books are meant to travel—from hand to hand, from heart to heart. A book that sits unread is a conversation waiting to happen, a door that never gets opened. The books that the Government of Mexico is donating today … are the works of some of the greatest minds Latin America has ever produced—authors who gave voice to our history, our struggles, our dreams, and our identity. From the magical worlds of Gabriel García Márquez to the passionate verses of Pablo Neruda, from the bold storytelling of Isabel Allende to the sharp political insight of Eduardo Galeano—these are writers who didn’t just tell stories, they changed the way the world sees us, and the way we see ourselves. Their words have crossed oceans, been translated into dozens of languages, and touched millions of hearts around the globe. And yet, at their core, they wrote about us—about this land, this people, this soul. Beyond their literary significance, mutual understanding, [they] strengthen the bonds that unite our communities.”

   Castillo thanked her for Mexico’s generosity, declaring, “Our shelves are being enriched with stories and ideas that will touch the lives of countless individuals, … sparking the imaginations and fostering a lifelong love of learning.”

   Mexico’s President Claudia Scheinbaum began her “25 for 25” free books initiative in the Constitution Plaza of Mexico City last December 17, in alignment with the principles of Mexico’s Feminist Foreign Policy, recognizing that access to education, culture and knowledge is essential to creating more equitable and inclusive societies. Through the Cultural Economic Fund (FCE), the Mexican government began distributing 2.5 million volumes free of cost to young people ages 15 to 30 years, across 14 countries of Latin America.

   The titles include Juan Gelman’s “Cómo tirar contra la muerte,” Nona Fernández’s “Space Invaders,” Manuel Rojas’ “El vaso de leche y otras historias,” and Raúl Zurita’s poems. “Los privilegios del olvido” by Piedad Bonnett, Gabriel García Márquez’s “Operación Carlota,” Miguel Donoso Pareja’s “La muerte de Tyrone Power,” and Roberto Fernández Retamar’s poems are also included.

   Readers may enjoy Roque Dalton’s “Las historias prohibidas de Pulgarcito,” Dante Liano’s “Réquiem por Teresa,” Alaíde Foppa’s “Vientos de primavera con prólogo de Elena Poniatowska,” and Miguel Ángel Asturias’ “Weekend en Guatemala.” Other titles include Carlos Montemayor’s “Guerra en el paraíso,” Fabrizio Mejía Madrid’s “Disparos en la oscuridad,” Adela Fernández’s “Duermevelas,” and “Cuentos” by Guadalupe Dueñas. Don’t miss Amparo Dávila’s “Música concreta,” Sergio Ramírez’s “El Zorro,” José María Arguedas’ “Agua,” nor Blanca Varela’s “Canto Villano”.