On Friday we told you about the progress of efforts to remove the illegal Guatemalan settlers in Santa Rosa. Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reported that 8 families were successfully removed over the weekend and about 8 remain.
Hon. Lisa Shoman, Minister of Foreign Affairs
"Eight of the families have moved from Santa Rosa and the houses in which they were dwelling in have been dismantled permanently.
Jules Vasquez,
How many remain?
Hon. Lisa Shoman,
"It is about eight or nine families, depending on how you count it because there are adult children involved as you can appreciate."
Jules Vasquez,
When will the remaining be moved?
Hon. Lisa Shoman,
"I will tell you what the OAS has said to me, and they are in charge of the process, it will be in the shortest possible time."
Jules Vasquez,
Is it in your mind solved?
Hon. Lisa Shoman,
"Santa Rosa will not be solved obviously until every last remaining person who lives there currently is gone and we will make every effort to ensure that no one lives there again. That being said, I think it is a source of great relief not only to me but many Belizeans that at least we have movement and that I am glad to say that now, today, half of the people who once lived in Santa Rosa are no longer there. Will I rest until they are all gone? No, I will not. The task then is to complete what has begun and to ensure that where there once was a Santa Rosa it will once again be Belize forest reserve with no one living there."
The last census showed 98 Guatemalans resident in Santa Rosa. All heads of households have committed with their signatures that they wish to relocate.
