Yesterday you heard from the chairman of Indian Creek village, Toledo about an illegal land distribution ceremony that occurred on Monday. He said the Alcalde was behind it, despite receiving a cease and desist letter from Courtenay and Coye law firm on behalf of Ya'axche Conservation Trust, which manages the land that was supposedly subdivided.
Well, the government has also sent a cease and desist letter. But will that be enough? And what about those who believe their communal land certificates are valid?
We spoke to the Indigenous Peoples' Affairs Minister, Dr Louis Zabaneh, over the phone today about this issue.
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs
"We have met in Cabinet and discussed the matter. It's something we have been monitoring for a number of months. Our Ministry's office, the Office of Indigenous People's Affairs that's located in Punta Gorda has been in constant communication with the parties in the village as well as both area reps, Dr Martinez and Minister Requena. We have sent a letter to the alcalde also vetted by our attorney general in which we have advised him to cease and desist in distributing lands. There is a process that we are working via our relationship with the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcalde Association that has been established based on our work with the Consent Order from the CCJ. We have asked them on many occasions to allow that process to unfold and based on the results of that process then there will be a time when we can start dealing with demarcating lands. So that letter was delivered yesterday to the Alcalde."
Courtney Menzies:
"But also how do you now talk to these people who received these certificates because based on what we've seen, they truly believe that now they have ownership over a plot of land."
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs
"We will be advising them accordingly that the titles that they have are invalid. Only the Minister of Natural Resources has the authority to issue titles in Belize and they will be advised accordingly."
Courtney Menzies:
"And in respect to the Alcalde, what happens if he continues?"
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs
"He'll be breaking the law and when you break the law, there are consequences it's as simple as that."
Courtney Menzies:
"I spoke to the chairman and he indicated that the person who received these certificates, some of them are non-residents of the village and some are even children. Are you aware of this part?"
Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs
"We were informed yes. Our director at the Office of Indigenous People's Affairs, Mr Requena, Gustavo Requena is also gathering information on the ground as well. We have visited, myself and the area reps, pleading with the residents and those supporting the alcalde and those supporting the chairman that it's one village and they're all members in that village and we wouldn't want to see any kind of violence because of the situation that has unfolded."
