And tonight we continue our coverage of the squatting, logging and gun violence events on the Maya Ranch in San Antonio Village.
In an attempt to settle the dispute, property manager Julian Sherrard has offered to sell the government 400 acres to give the encroaching farmers their land.
But, it's not that simple. On Tuesday, Jaleeza Roberts headed West, put a bullet proof vest on and toured the restless and volatile ranch.
For nearly half a century, Maya Ranch has stood as private land, first as a cattle ranch, now as a sanctuary for wildlife. But over the years, this Belizean-owned property has faced encroachment by loggers, hunters, and illegal farmers. The current owners, Belizeans for the past 38 years, have watched as their land, once left to regenerate naturally, became a patchwork of outlaw activity.
According to property manager Julian Sherrard, at least 22 disturbances have been recorded across the estate. These include farm sheds, a pigsty and four farmers currently cultivating potatoes, one with beans, another with corn, and even one managing a beehive. While the ranch has allowed them time to harvest, letters demanding they cease trespassing were served last October.
Julian Sherrard, Property Manager
"So, for example, the beans won't be ready till April. And we've told the farmer, no problem. But at the end of April, then, you know, we need him to leave the property. And he's cooperating and well aware of it. They were all served letters of cease to trespass on October 20th. And that gave them seven days to reach out and ask us if they would need more than the 30 days that the letter said that they would then be off by. And so anybody who reached out to us at Maya Ranch office, we have gotten back in touch with them and we've given them the time that they need in order to harvest their crops."
In an effort to provide a legal solution, Sherrard wrote to the Lands Department on October 28th, offering up to 400 acres of the property to the government at or below market value, intended to provide affordable land for farmers. To date, there has been no official response.
Julian Sherrard, Property Manager
"It was October 28th. We sent a letter to the Lands Department because we're well aware that there's a lot of pressure for land. And this is a large tract of land that the owners had decided to leave in nature for the animals and for the trees to do its thing. There's farms all the way around it. But unfortunately, you know, Ya da Belize, you know, a piece of land, nobody knows, nothing, you end up hunting this or you, you know. So with the advent of people going in and logging and farming, we decided that we needed to, unfortunately, sort of put our foot down to stop that. But the people who are on the land right now, they're hardworking individuals. They're not looking to capitalize on get one lee piece of land and sell it. You know, they're genuine hard working farmers. And so our hearts go out to them because they're trying their best. Did they commit an illegal act? Yes, they came onto private property. But, you know Belize, that's how we do things, right? If a thing empty, we go upon the property, we go hunting and what not."
Maya Ranch stands at a crossroads, between a history of private ownership and a future where land access and preservation must coexist. Jaleeza Roberts, 7 News.
We contacted the CEO for Natural Resources who said that they have not made a decision whether GOB is interested in the offer.
We were contacted earlier today by the accused farmers but have not received any comments or paperwork they have explained they have.
