But while he remains as an area rep and minister, there are still issues to tackle before the next election. One of those is the Yemeri Grove/Laguna dispute - a dispute opener land where a creole village and a Maya village are in open dispute. We reported that they have since reached a temporary truce, but note also that the Kriol Council has made it clear that the Yemeri residents were there first. As the Minister of Culture, Fonseca was asked if he had a hand in brokering the agreement.
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"We are all involved. I mean the entire cabinet is engaged in this issue. It's a very important issue. You know, and we, of course, one of the great things about Belize, one of our greatest assets, is the harmonious relationship that exists among our different cultures and ethnic groups."
"We always want to preserve that. So we are concerned about that, but I'm very happy to note that the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Human Development and Indigenous Affairs were able to go down there into the communities, sit down in a very responsible, respectful manner with all of the stakeholders from every community, and come up with a workable plan moving forward, even if it's an interim plan."
"So I think that's a very positive sign. I think both communities want to see a peaceful resolution to this matter, and our government is absolutely committed to working with them to find that resolution."
