Maya negotiating team to meet with Gov’t. on land rights

The Maya Leaders Alliance of Southern Belize has chosen a team to negotiate with government over the implementation of the recent Supreme Court ruling affirming Maya land rights. According to a release from the organisation, on Sunday Alcaldes and Village Council chairmen from over thirty communities met in Punta Gorda to endorse the selection, which includes Greg Choc, Cristina Coc, Alfonso Cal, Bartolo Teul, Emergildo Ah, Froyla Tzalam, Geronimo Coc, Lorenzo Pop, Martin Chen and Natividad Ico. The leaders of Conejo Creek and Santa Cruz villages also form part of the team since they were the successful plaintiffs in the landmark lawsuit. The previous administration did not mount a vigorous defence to the suit and it remains to be seen how the new government will seek to implement its broad assertion of communal Mayan land rights in the Toledo District.