Maya Leaders Say No Agreement on San Marcos Land

Government representatives are describing Wednesday’s meeting in San Marcos as a breakthrough in the ongoing land dispute between villagers and a private landowner. But Maya leaders say the talks produced no real agreement and warned that tensions on the ground are only growing. Spokesperson for the Toledo Alcaldes Association and Maya Leaders Alliance Cristina Coc says the conflict is already heading toward the courts and is urging government to step in before San Marcos reaches the same boiling point seen in Indian Creek.

 

Cristina Coc, Spokesperson, Toledo Alcaldes Association

“Listen to what is happening in San Marcos. A single third-party owner, who already holds thousands of acres of land, is now moving to clear new areas that is customarily used by members of San Marcos. He has lawyered up and his lawyer is insisting that the village signs an undertaking to not trespass on his private property. How is it trespass when you as Maya people also have customary rights to use that same land? There was no agreement reached on Wednesday at the meeting, nothing substantive. The government decided that they would send technicians from the lands department to measure the area of overlap where the competing interests exist. Following that, another meeting is scheduled. Although let me make it very clear, the attorney of Mr. Peña has clearly indicated that he is taking this issue to court for redress. We hope and pray that this conflict in San Marcos does not escalate any further, and God forbid we end up in the same situation as Indian Creek.”

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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