Tensions flare up between Belizean and Mayan villages over land
The Government of Belize is working to ease tensions between two southern towns, Yemeri Grove and neighbouring Laguna (Mayan community), over a boundary dispute.
According to reports, over the past three days, both sides have conflicted with rights to certain land due to the lack of the delimitation of boundaries.
Prime Minister of Belize John Briceno says it is unfortunate what is happening with the division between the indigenous people and the rest of Belizeans.
He said there is a ruling from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) that they have to abide by.
“We have to see how we can manoeuvre and live side by side as neighbours, as one people, as Belizeans. It’s one country, and I can assure you that the government will not give in to any balkanization...that the Mayans and Kriol and Hispanics, the Chinese... everybody needs to understand there is one government, one country and one people, and that applies south.”
The prime minister says the Cabinet has agreed sometime before the end of the year to set an entire date to discuss the Mayan Land Policy, how it will be implemented, and to do it in such a way that it does not divide the country.
Briceno made it clear again: “The People’s United Party will not allow the balkanization of our country.”
Meanwhile, the Nation Kriol Council says it is alarmed by the tensions developing between the Kriol Village of Yemeri Grove and the neighbouring Mayan community of Laguna.
The Council says Yemeri Grove (formerly Topcoe) has existed for over nine decades, and its villagers have always existed peacefully with its neighbouring Mayan communities.
It says this harmonious coexistence persisted despite the initial ruling of the Supreme Court on Maya land rights. However, the Council says since the 2015 CCJ Consent Order, certain Mayan leaders have been encouraging actions on the ground that could only lead to ethnic disharmony.
The National Kriol Council is calling on the Mayan leadership to commit to finding a balanced solution to the difficulties being faced by the villagers of Yemeri Grove and Laguna.
The Council says it is aware the 2015 CCJ Consent Order, among other things, requires the government to develop mechanisms for resolving land disputes. The National Kriol Council is calling on the government to develop such tools urgently and in a manner that preserves the rights of all Belizeans to avoid any further escalation in tensions between Yemeri Grove and Laguna.
The Belize Progressive Party calls on the Government of Belize to act urgently and with due diligence to assist Laguna and Yemeri Grove residents with the ongoing boundary dispute.
It calls on the Government to prioritise the demarcation between Laguna and Yemeri Grove.
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