It was a welcomed decision from the bus owners who were pushing for this change. They say that these foreign-owned companies shouldn't be allowed to cheat them out of a revenue source by shuttling tourists through Belize, which they can do.

Under threat of a strike, the government caved and the Attorney General said that the Statutory Instrument would be prepared and signed by today. The news tonight is that the Government has followed through as promised.

A press release from the Government says that Transport Minister Edmond Castro signed the SI this morning into law and that it regulates international buses from the neighboring countries which enter Belize. This SI is in accordance with the agreements reached between the Ministry of Transport, the Bus Association, the Taxi Federation, the Ministry of Tourism, the Attorney General, and the Ministry of Investment, Trade, and Commerce.

The release says, quote, "The essence of the agreement reached, as reflected in the new S.I, is that only one regular bus run per day would be allowed from each country entering Belize, and returning to the respective country. Those buses would only be allowed to drop off passengers within the country who travel with them from across the border. And, on their return trip to Guatemala or Mexico, they would only be authorized to pick up passengers heading across the border into those respective countries. In addition, if a Guatemalan Bus wants to transport passengers to Mexico, simply transiting Belize, or vice versa (Mexico to Guatemala), a manifest fully documenting those passengers must be presented at the respective border (western or northern). It was also agreed that there will be a test period between now and October 8, at which time the effects of the new S.I would be evaluated." End quote.