T.C.G.A. distances itself from Maya Leaders Alliance
The Mayan Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcalde Association have been the driving force of the Maya Land Right’s lawsuit over communal land rights. While it appears that there has been a united front by Mayans in regards to the case, a release written by Armando Choco, the manager of the Toledo Cacao Growers Association has come out from left field two days before the case is heard. The T.C.G.A. is saying that the Mayan population has not been consulted or educated about the land issue and the Mayas are essentially confused. The logic used by Choco is that new Alcaldes were selected earlier this month and that no communal consultations have taken place. The T.C.G.A. has a list of demands including an apology from the Mayan Leaders Alliance and the development of an educational campaign about Mayan Land Rights to be backed by G.O.B., even though the government is the defendant in the case. Sounds confusing? Well, according to Cristina Coc of the Mayan Leaders Alliance, the T.C.G.A. has been set up and their press release amounts to a mere distraction that has no bearing on the current lawsuit.
Cristina Coc, P.R., Mayan Leaders Alliance
“I would like to clarify a few points made in their press statement. It is important to point out first and foremost that the protection that the lawsuit is asking from the Supreme Court will not deprive a single Mayan farmer of cacao trade. In fact, securing Mayan rights will allow Mayan farmers to plant more cacaos. The Toledo Alcalde Association is made up of elected Alcalde’s, traditional leaders of Mayan villages, including members of the Toledo Cacao Growers Association. Alcaldes are authorized to bring the lawsuit by written resolution signed by a large majority of its membership who affirms that their desire is for these traditional lands to be protected. Therefore, the leadership of Toledo Cacao Growers Association may not agree with moving forward with the lawsuit at this time, the elected leadership of the Mayan villages with whom C.C.J. works have shown otherwise.”
Jose Sanchez
“This release sent by the Toledo Cacao Growers Association… is there anything valid to it?”
Cristina Coc
“I would have to say it is invalid in terms of speaking on behalf of the Mayan villages. I want to point out that this phase of the struggle of the Mayan Land Rights has been going on since the mid 1990’s. The Mayas have engaged in years of negotiations with Government of Belize and have had three separate claims prior to this one. The Mayans have taken this case to the Supreme Court, but they’ve also taken it to the International Human Rights Institution. These institutions have unanimously held in favour of the Mayans and have ordered the government to protect Mayan lands. The Mayans know what they are fighting for. However, the Toledo Cacao Growers Association must understand the leadership of its organization does not have the right to override the will of the Mayan people of the villages of the Toledo District to see our land our lives and our culture protected.”
Jose Sanchez
“Would you say then that the release is a distraction rather than a hindrance to your cause?”
Cristina Coc
“The release is certainly a distraction and strategic on the part of the government. You remember when we were fighting the oil lawsuit, we had similar uprising from Mayan people who were being used. I can recall Miss Canelo being taken to Belize City and doing rounds with the media to distract from the issue itself. I don’t think the cacao farmers will ever say that they do not have a right to their land or we should not be fighting to protect it. So it is definitely a distraction.”
The lawsuit brought against the government of Belize by the Mayan Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcalde Association is scheduled to go to court on Thursday February nineteenth.
