By Belize Live News Staff: The Tren Maya has struggled in Mexico, but Prime Minister John Briceño says that does not mean the idea is wrong for Belize.
The railway opened in December 2023. According to international news reports, it has faced lower than expected ridership, high costs and ongoing economic challenges.
Asked whether it is realistic for Belize to invest in an extension, Briceño acknowledged it would be a large investment and something that must be handled with great care.
He said projects like Tren Maya are not expected to succeed overnight. He compared it to building an airport, which takes years to build up enough customers to become profitable.
The Prime Minister said Mexican businesses are already moving imports into southern Mexico through Belize, and that there are different ways the project could work for the country.
“We don’t have all the answers, that’s why we want to see how it will be able to work for Belize,” he said.
The IDB study is expected to help determine whether an extension makes economic sense.
What do you think, Belize? Would Tren Maya be a smart investment, or too big a risk?
