Before 1984, the PUP had dominated the electoral scene for more than 30 years and was the party in power when Belize became independent on 21 September 1981.

In 2001, Belize joined with most members of CARICOM to campaign for the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice, which replaced appeals to the Privy Council in London.

Michelle Arana has served as the acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court since the retirement of Kenneth Benjamin on 20 March 2020.

According to the Government of Belize website, "urban authorities are responsible for street maintenance and lighting, drains, refuse collection and public cemeteries.

[6] Some rural villages in Belize also have an alcalde: a local magistrate who has both an administrative and a judicial role.

In addition to presiding over local courts, alcaldes are responsible for managing communal land and act as school officers.

The BDF, currently under the command of Brigadier General David Jones, assumed total defence responsibility from British Forces Belize (BFB) on 1 January 1994.

However, other types of crime are becoming more commonplace, and the murder rate has increased, due to unsolved gang-related issues and the presence of drugs on the streets.

Due to this high crime rate, the government runs the Restore Belize platform for the betterment of the country.

It allies with nations like Cuba, Venezuela and recognises states such as Palestine, Taiwan and the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic based on the principles of non-interference, anti-imperialism and self-determination.

It also maintains cordial relations with the United States and other western nations which traditionally are its most important trade partners.

In a regional context, Belize is a member of the Central American Integration System and the Caribbean Community, the latter of which it is more aligned with due to historical and cultural ties.