Is There a Breakthrough in the San Marcos Land Dispute?

A land dispute that has been simmering in southern Belize may finally be moving towards a resolution after a key meeting in Belmopan this week.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Dr Louis Zabaneh sat down with leaders from San Marcos, the Toledo Alcalde Alliance and the Maya Leaders Alliance on Wednesday to address tensions between the community and a private landowner. Both sides left with an agreement.

“So what we agreed there is that over the next three weeks we will have people from the Ministry of Natural Resources to identify a specific area that is in contention. We are grateful that both parties agreed,” Zabaneh said.

Zabeneh pointed to a newly formed review panel bringing together government and Maya leadership to work through draft legislation.

The Maya Leaders Alliance is set to meet with San Marcos residents on Friday to discuss the outcome of this week’s talks.

Tune in to News 5 tonight at 6 o’clock to hear more on Dr Zabaneh’s comments on this issue.