And while that will see the government of Belize fighting with other governments for trade entry - right here at home, the government seems to be fighting with itself at the Port of Belize.

Tonight, 7news has received a copy of a letter from the government regulator for Ports - which is the Port Authority scolding the government owned and operated Port of Belize.

The letter was sent after the Port of Belize held back more than 60 containers imported by one shipping agent because of a commercial dispute between the Port and that agent. But, the importers - who had fully paid all their fees and duties - were being penalized for the dispute which they had no part of.

So, the Commissioner of Ports, Kaylon Young wrote to the CEO of the Port Tux Vasquez basically ordering him to release the containers.

Young tells Vasquez, "We must express our concern over this practice, as it is contrary to the lawful procedures governing port operations and the handling of cargo.

Please be advised that PBL does not possess the legal authority to withhold or suspend the release of any container or goods to customers once the shipping agent has issued a release order... The withholding of cargo not only contravenes established legal procedures but also places undue hardship on customers who have rightfully complied with all necessary requirements for the release of their goods." End quote.

"The law provides no justification or support for the port to retain possession of cargo containers once the shipping agent has fulfilled their obligation to release the cargo. We kindly urge PBL to immediately cease this practice and to release any cargo currently detained under these circumstances."

Now that is quite a lecture, and while we can't say whether Vasquez responded to it - but we do know that the containers did start to get released today after the shipping agent Belize Marine and Services started to pay the port what it owed.