Protesting cane farmers face tear gas and bullets

We go now to Orange Walk where this morning, riled cane farmers were out in the hundreds and tempers were running high. The Deputy Prime Minister, Gaspar Vega who was deployed to broker a deal was roughed up by the angry farmers. C.E.O. for the Cane Farmers Association, Carlos Magana, predicted then that if a decision is not made, the situation can get worse…and that was what happened…

Carlos Magana, C.E.O., Cane Farmers Association
“There is no agreement as yet. The request of the farmers is removal and we were not able to reach with the government on a word that has said yes to the removal. They want to have a conversation with BSI and that is what we’re having. You have seen the rage of the farmers. We are asking the government to please, please listen to the voice. This is the biggest association. It’s involving more and more individuals. It benefits forty-five thousand people and I would really hope that the government can act on the request of the farmers and in that manner we would be able to maybe lessen the civil unrest that can come up from this situation. Really I am trying to control the farmers and you saw it, that when I spoke with them we were able to calm them, but at the end of the day if things are not being resolved they’re going to take it on me as an individual.”

Patrick Jones, Love FM
“What did Gaspar Vega bring to the table to that meeting?”

Carlos Magana
“Some sort of solutions and at this point we are not able to come to any solutions, it is simply removal.”

Kendra Griffith
“Can you hold down the cane farmers until at least you’ve heard from him after his meeting at BSI?”

Carlos Magana
“I think I can hold them for at least two hours. I think after that the administration will not be able to hold the farmers. I really want that to be very clear. We cannot depend on BSI results. At this point it needs to be on what the farmers are requesting.”