And while those are rural land rights disputes, an urban dispute played out to almost comedic effect his morning when one man fenced up a street with a sign that says private property.
Edwin Beaton lives at the corner of Lacroix Boulevard and what is SUPPOSED to be Jennifer Smith Street. Except, the street next to his home doesn't actually exist - not according to any surveys or land documents.
Beaton has lived on his property over two decades, and the street next to it is actually part of his land. But it has since been turned into a road and Beaton is not happy about it. He explained that past governments have told him before that they wanted to put a street in that area, and he said that would have been okay, if they had paid him for what is his.
Now, after several trips to Belmopan, and lots of lawyer fees, Beaton finally has the documentation that proves that the entire lot is his, and there is no street marked there. So, on Sunday he decided to block off the street with wires and concrete, placing signs that indicate it is private property, and preventing any vehicles from using it.
He says he's been waiting too long to meet with politicians, now he's forcing the politicians to come to him.
Edwin Beaton, Owns Property
"It's my property, right, and I've already shown you all the necessary documents to prove that it's my property, all the necessary parties have been informed, get all my necessary documents together before I even made my move, but over the years the minister and his cronies explained to me he would shove a street through my property. And I explained to him, it's private property, boss, you all are the big fish, you do what you want. But remember, if you shove the street through there, you will have to pay for it. So far, I've been trying to make contact, so far I've been trying to do this thing low profile, without even have to be- but nobody wants to see me. So, I have to take measures, I mean, it's been going on for years and years and years now and people feel it's my thing that I just leave it there, I don't just leave it there, but we have to understand in our society in Belize, when the big people talk, when we try to oppose them, they want to bring down the hammer, so all of us are always scared, until our back is against the wall, and we decide that all they do is kick the ball down the road, and we will never get satisfaction, so it's time you stand up, and that's what I'm doing."
"I have been to the lands to try and get a survey plan, a map, whatsoever, to show that a street is designated there by the government, and there is no such thing. So basically they're saying you're the only one beating your own horse, well I'm not beating it anymore, I want to ride it."
"All the documents I have demonstrate that my property is intact, so whosoever said they would push a street through there, they were basically just threatening and talking and I being the fool, because they're those big fish, I let it lie hoping they will come to the table. But they refuse, well, now, I'm blocking off my place so I'm waiting for you all to come to the table."
"I'm not trying to sell my property, you know, I have use for it, but if they have better use and they're government, government do what they want, but even though they do what they want, they can't just take people thing and not pay them for it."
Up to news time, the blockage is still there, and Beaton says no one from the city council, nor the area rep, has gone to speak with him.
