Tonight, the Caye Caulker Village Council is fighting to preserve the property upon which its police station sits. That's after credible reports emerged that government wants to sell the prime property and use the funds for other security projects on the mainland. Presently, the station was under construction as part of the CABEI security project, but that work has stopped.
The council - which is PUP - put out an extraordinary release today sounding the alarm. It says "the council on behalf of the residents of Caye Caulker, formally and unequivocally rejects any proposal to sell, lease, or transfer the police property located on Parcel 815. Parcel 815 is critical communal land and a public asset designated for the safety and security of the island…Any attempt to divest it, particularly to fund projects outside of Caye Caulker, disregards the needs of the community and undermines its intended public purpose."
Later in the release it says "Parcel 815 is not surplus land, nor land for the real estate enhancement of any one or a few individuals, it is critical communal land. Its protection is non-negotiable."
Strong words and we spoke to the Chairlady about it an hour ago - after what had been a busy day for her, scrambling to try and get verified information on what the plan for the land is.
Seleny Villaneuva - Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker
"Everyone seemed to be a little tight-lipped about what they want to do. Rumors are, however, that the property has been sold. We can go by rumors and we would really appreciate some clarification. At no point were we engaged in any conversation."
"Of course, we reached out to our area rep this morning and he said to reach out to Minister Mira. We did, but he's on a tour and he's scheduled to go to San Pedro over the weekend and he wants to meet in San Pedro."
"However, I don't think it's fitting for us to have a meeting about Caye Caulker in San Pedro."
Jules Vasquez
"Construction work is on the way or was on the way by Coleman Construction. I saw signs. Has that work stopped as a project that the community was told would be delivered for the community?"
"Has that project been put on pause to serve bigger interests and the community not been told anything?"
Seleny Villaneuva - Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker
"There's no work being conducted at the site and that I can confirm. So that is really alarming to the entire community."
"We know that there was supposed to be a groundbreaking ceremony. We know that was postponed. We don't know the details of any of it. I've tried my best to reach out to different sources from Cabei, from different my area rep, and, you know, I haven't gotten any response, but we can only go by what we know, and that's construction has been halted."
Jules Vasquez
"Title has not been transferred. So no sale has been made, but you and I have also learned through our own sources that there are talks. This is one of the most prime pieces of real estate on your island."
Seleny Villaneuva - Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker
"Caye Caulker is primarily for Caye Caulker, Mr. Jules. That's how we feel. Most days we've been left behind, most days we've been overlooked. And it's rather disheartening to know that they will use up to, in lack of a better term, come up in other ways."
"We don't, that's a talks, you and I have heard the same thing, but we have not been privy to any discussions, but it's something I know that will not, my community will not take well. Every inch of Caye Caulker is of value."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it a sense that you all have to stand up now before this land, this precious land, is transferred?"
Seleny Villaneuva - Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker
"It's a pivotal time. We don't know if the deal has been completed or not. We know that it hasn't been transferred."
"It's something that we've been monitoring from before the Easter holidays. We're still monitoring it. And we are hoping that, you know, whatever say we have, that it would be taken into consideration."
"That is really all we want to have some sort of say."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it cynical, as you see it, for the government to say, hey, Caye Caulker has a goldmine there, let us flip that. And then when we flip that, we get XY money if you do XY project."
"And who cares what Caye Caulker thinks? That's for the state. That's crown land. Unu not got no saying in that."
Seleny Villaneuva - Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker
"But that is the misconception. It's not crown land. It was land that a family gave. So that's the misconception."
"It's never been crown land. And these are some of the things where history have been lost. Maybe there's no proper documentation from, like written documentation, but there are past chairmans that know the history of these properties."
"And that is why it's important that we engage these people. That's simply all we're asking for. We will have the law take its course. If we have to take a judicial review on it, we probably will. But we will do what is necessary to protect that piece of property."
"You know, I'm hoping it doesn't have to be tedious, but we'll see what transpires."
Jules Vasquez
"Will you and your council allow that land, if the government insists, will you allow that land to be converted to private property?"
Seleny Villaneuva - Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker
"We can't. There's no way we can. There's no way we can, sir."
The village council tried to get a permit to demonstrate in front of the station tomorrow - but the request was denied. Instead, they will have a community meeting tomorrow night. We also tried to reach the contractor to find out why work stopped, but he did not respond. The area rep told us he is out of the country on duty leave.
