P.U.P. Leader Says S.P.T.C. Cannot Issue Dredging License

Daniel Guerrero

Documents shared with News Five show illegal dredging activities being carried out within the Hol Chan Marine Reserve. As we reported on Tuesday, residents in the Secret Beach area have been conducting dredging to obtain landfill.  When they were confronted by officials, the property owners claimed that the San Pedro Town Council headed by Mayor Daniel Guerrero temporarily. Issuing such permission, however, can only be done by the Mining Unit of the Ministry of Natural Resources. P.U.P. Leader John Briceño says what is being done is illegal and Mayor Guerrero must be made to face the charges associated with such activities.

John Briceño

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition

“I think that is criminal. The mayor knows fully well that he has absolutely no authority in giving out any kind of dredging license especially in a protected area, in a marine reserve. That is one of the premier destinations, thousands of thousands of foreigners come very month to visit the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and for him to give these things. I think he needs to be charged criminally because that is illegal and also even these people who have gotten the permits from the town council. I think that they fully know that the town council has absolutely no authority to give out these licenses. The only department that can do that is the Mines in the Geology Department that can give out these licenses. A lot of foreigners know well that what they are doing is illegal but they quickly do it and so that when they are penalized they are given a slap in the wrist and they pay a little bit of money and they get the work done. I think that we need to go after these people and go to the full extent of the law because especially going into this marine reserve I think it is unforgivable. We should go after them and the Mayor of San Pedro.”