P.U.P. Goes Into the Chiquibul; Concerns of Plundering Come to Light

The People’s United Party over the weekend headed into the Chiquibul National Park, with a stop at the Caracol Archaeological Site. They were accompanied by members of the Belize Defence Force, the Police and rangers from Friends for Conservation and Development. Now, Guatemalan incursions into the Chiquibul have been happening for donkey’s years, and the plight of the cash-strapped FCD has been highlighted in countless appearances, news items and even a symposium. But the P.U.P. has been in there, and amid the rich forests, dark trails and plundered resources, the grand ole party saw the light. So today, they called a press conference to share that light. According to P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca, the country is under siege via the Chiquibul, and the response has left much to be desired. Just in case there is anybody in the country who doesn’t know what’s happening in the national park, Fonseca came back with a list.

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader

Francis Fonseca

“One, agricultural incursions. Guatemalan nationals are planting huge milpas, huge farms; on average fifty acres on Belizean territory growing pumpkin, black beans, corn and marijuana. In Caracol, the area being illegally farmed have grown from twelve thousand hectares to twenty-six thousand hectares in just the past three years. There are even lands which are being surveyed and sold by Guatemalans in Belizean territory. Logging…daily illegal logging is destroying the Chiquibul forest. It is taking place day and night and logging trails extend for miles from Belize into Guatemala. Rare and valuable hardwoods are being cut down and hauled to Guatemala costing Belize millions of dollars in lost revenue. Xaté extraction…again the xaté plant leaf is being cut down, taken over to Guatemala for sale and export resulting in significant economic lost to Belize. This has of course been well documented. Hunting and wildlife poaching…Guatemalans are killing our animals for food and for sale and also capturing our macaws, our wildcats and our tapirs for sale to zoos in Guatemala and Mexico and to wealthy individuals in those countries. Five, gold panning and mining…Guatemalan nationals are illegally coming into Belize and our Chiquibul forest to pan for gold…destroying our land, but also imperilling the Chiquibul watershed which provides water to forty-five percent of Belize’s population. So as we were told by the rangers in the Chiquibul…when you open your faucets in Port Loyola, Belize City, you need to appreciate that your water supply originates in the Chiquibul watershed. And six, looting of Mayan sites…Guatemalan nationals are destroying and stealing our history.”