Discord between Chairman and Alcalde Over Maya Land

Greg Ch’oc

This evening, News Five spoke with Greg Ch’oc, the Commissioner of Indigenous People’s Affairs.  Two weeks ago, he sat in as an observer during a meeting held by village leaders in the community.  What he saw was that there was discord between the village chairperson and the alcalde.  Ch’oc explains what transpired during that meeting.

Greg Ch’oc, Commissioner, Indigenous People’s Affairs

“I went there because I knew that I needed to understand what it is that was occurring at the community level and what became apparent is the fact that the alcalde and the chairman were not cooperating and that that led to one leader deciding to get fifty-eight names of households in the community and submit that to show that the community of Crique Sarco is in fact, has consented to such a proposal.  But the chairman informed the community that that was not the case, that fifty-eight members of the community cannot have the mandate to agree to any development in the community without the larger community having a say, and it was established at that meeting there be a majority of the community to agree to such a proposal before it can be said that the community has consented.  So what was determined was that they should sit down as a community and the leaders to work out how they want to demonstrate or to show that the community has in fact consented.  What occurred afterwards is that the proponent was issued with a permit and that has led to the opposition by the members of the community, including the chairman, who has come out publicly denouncing the permit.”