We also got to ask Habet in person about the land dispute on Maya Ranch in San Antonio Cayo. As we have reported, it's a case of farmers squatting on a large private estate. They have literally put down roots there - and to uproot them, will likely lead to violence.
Habet says he will suggest to government that it acquire the property for the farmers:
Orlando Habet, Minister of Sustainable Development
"From Mr. Julian's side, and he defending the people who have put him in charge of the farm, is that they want to get the people out because it's private land. Certainly we have thought as a government, if we can take an application and not notice that the application we're taking in is for a parcel that is within private property."
"So I think that's where we possibly faltered. And then from the private sector, they have to find an attorney to try to see how they can get the people out from there. My recommendation, this is my personal recommendation, is that these people are already there, they are already established, they have their plants."
"So possibly what they can do is to lobby with their area representative to go to cabinet to seek the support of cabinet so that then the government could possibly acquire that portion of the land so that then it can be distributed legally."
The property manager says he has already written to the government offering for them to buy the land.
