This afternoon at the PGIA, the press asked spokesperson Cristina Coc about US Capital Energy's early discussion with the communities on the possible return of oil exploration in Southern Belize.
Here's what she had to say about that:
Cristina Coc - Spokesperson, Mayan Claimants/TAA
"I did hear the interview, and I did hear your line of questioning. The Prime Minister failed to answer your question, actually, and instead alluded to something that for me, I have difficulty understanding. Because as far as I'm concerned, the meeting that happened in Toledo - while I was not there in person, members of my team and the Toledo Alcaldes Association were present. At no point was US Capital's development discussed at this meeting. Yes, there was a meeting, and there was an audience with leaders of many villages, but at no point. So, how would the communities have yes, I am for US Capital, or no, I'm not for US Capital? How would they have said that? And to simplify it to that point, the Maya people have never been against development. We have always been protecting the communities against exploitation. So, you can't just ask, do you want oil exploration or not, right? We want to be able to explore, through a free prior informed consent process, what will result. If we end up with at a consent agreement that upholds the conditions that the communities set, that upholds the standards that the communities set, and upholds the benefit-sharing and compensation, that the communities desire, then the communities are at liberty to give their free prior informed consent, right? But, you can't just go and tell the community, [whether] you want US Capital or not. That is not the consent process. That is not due process."
Of course, Coc had a lot more harsh criticism for the Government and US Capital Energy.
We have reached out to both Greg Ch'oc, the Commissioner of Indigenous Peoples Affairs, and a representative of US Capital Energy for their views, which will most likely be strong rebuttals.
