Delimitation of Village Boundaries – Not that Easy

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia

The delimitation of boundaries has been a challenge for the Government of Belize.  There have been villages reporting of encroachment, as well as the sale of land without notice.  There are also competing interests as it relates to villages wanting to expand, but being unable to do so.  Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Dolores Balderamos Garcia says that it is a process which is being looked at carefully, specifically as it relates to Maya communal land tenure in the south. 

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs

“The issue of delimitation of boundary should not be that difficult once we can sit down and compromise and respect one another’s rights. But there is some hurt being experienced. In relation to the forty-one Maya villages of the Toledo district, we will have to be looking carefully at the auto delimitation and what they call the delimitation principles and methodology. It is important for us to recognise that the rights can be balanced and that when we put in place the administrative and legal framework, we will be able to balance often competing interests. But at the same time if we do a proper harmonization, then we will be able to live together. You call it a Modus Vivendi.”