F.C.D. Sounds Alarm on New Border Activity in Chiquibul

The result of the recent referendum on taking the unfounded Guatemalan claim on Belize to the International Court of Justice in Guatemala has led to a renewed assault on Belizean resources, according to Friends for Conservation and Development. On Tuesday, May eighth, F.C.D.’s rangers in the south Chiquibul National Park found plantations of beans, corn and bananas more than a mile and a half into Belizean territory in the park and fresh survey lines indicating escalating activity in an area in which F.C.D. has previously recommended a conservation post be installed. F.C.D.’s sources say several rogue leaders in Guatemala have been visiting communities near the border, informing villagers that Guatemala has in fact now recovered Belize. The rogues have been extorting money from farmers for a “list” of those who can occupy the lands. The non-governmental organization is asking for more patrols in the area and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Organization of American States, which maintains an office at the Adjacency Zone. It will continue to pursue and detain persons involved in illegal activity in the area.