And to further emphasize Requena's reassurance that the FPIC protocol is being followed, the Commissioner for Indigenous Affairs listed projects where the Maya villagers were consulted first before they proceeded.
Greg Ch'oc, Commissioner of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs
"The resilient rural Belize project (RRB) is a 6-year 20-million-dollar program aimed at minimizing the impact of climatic and economic events on rural small farmers while supporting sustainable market access for their produce. The 2 villages identified for support by RRB San Jose and Santa Rosa villages have signed a consent agreement with the ministry of economic development for the implementation of the project in their respective villages. We have the European Union mini-grid solar electrification project. This project is funding rural electrification for 5 remote villages in Belize and it's valued at 11 million dollars. San Benito Poite and Jalacte villages have been selected for electrification under this project. All 3 villages have granted their consent to be consulted. The villages are about to start to develop a consultation plan with the ministry of public utilities, energy, logistics and e-governance. Similar electrification projects are ongoing in Corazon and Indian Creek villages. Each village is currently at this moment negotiating the terms of a consent agreement with the ministry of public utilities."
"US Capital Energy Belize Limited - all 7 villages that are likely to be affected by US Capital Energy seismic testing activities have granted their consent to be consulted. It is our desire that this process will build good faith, trust, respect among all parties in development which is the true intention of the FPIC protocol."
However, reports are that the Toledo Alcalde Association and the Maya Leaders Alliance did not take too kindly to this press conference. In a statement, they said that the government, quote, "issued an inflammatory statement that only undermines fruitful dialogue toward faithful implantation of the consent order and recognition of our fundamental rights. The Government insists on framing Maya communities and Maya rights in a way that only furthers the risks we face on the ground; that only furthers the tensions on the ground with our neighbors and now even with the Government." End quote.
After reading the statement to government officials during a meeting that was scheduled for this afternoon, the Maya representatives then reportedly walked out.
