And the area rep, Oscar Requena, reiterated the need for peaceful negotiations between the villagers. He also stated that the Maya villages need to be patient as the government puts in place the full legislative and administrative framework, which he says will take some time. He added though that they have been abiding by the FPIC protocol in all their decision making.
Oscar Requena, Area Rep, Toledo West
"I want to say that since being elected our government under the leadership of the Honorable John Briceno has made it absolutely clear to the nation and to our International partners that we have every intention to honor and to carry out 2015 CCJ order. Ladies and gentlemen, in the last two and a half years much has been accomplished. Bear in mind we're talking 8 years, almost 9 years, that this court ruling was carried out. Under the last administration a lot of time was wasted, there was a lot of kicking the can down the road. We took the bold decision to move forward and testament to that is today we have in place an FPIC protocol. This FPIC protocol has been used in several of our communities already in the Toledo District."
"I urge everyone to stay calm, let us use the dialogue, the communication process, it is very important that leaders in our communities, whether you are the alcalde or the chairman, that we work together, that we respect each other, that is very important, whether it is two Maya communities having issues or whether it is a Maya community and a non-Maya community having issues, it is important that our leaders take hold of the process and they remind our people at all times that we must be respectful and cordial and understanding to each other."
"This is a very complex process, it's not a one shot thing, it's not something you can address immediately, it's a process and as such, we have to give the process an opportunity, we have to give it a chance."
"We have a commitment to this process and we are going to work through this process, it is going to be a very engaging and participatory process so that our people can have a say and at the end of the day, we have to listen to them, but we must also find a way to be able to build consensus."
