Protestors in PG Criticize TAA’s Position on Draft Communal Land Use Policy

A small demonstration was held in Punta Gorda Town this morning by residents from Columbia Village and other neighboring Maya and non-Maya communities.  In light of the Toledo Alcaldes Association’s rejection of the draft Maya Communal Land Use Policy, the Minister of Indigenous Peoples Affairs has weighed in on the provisional document from government’s perspective.  Earlier today, during the protest, we spoke with a resident of Yemeri Grove, as well as a councilor from the Punta Gorda Town Council.

Jasmil Aldana

Jasmil Aldana, Resident, Yemeri Grove

“I’m here with other communities, the Maya communities, we are here standing together because we know that whatever is going on with the MLA is not correct.  We’re not benefiting from it.  So I’m here again, standing strong with everyone, with all the communities that do not want them.  To be honest, it’s hurting us, so standing together is what we call unity and that is what we need, we need to be united.”

Ulysis Guy

Ulysis Guy, PG Town Councilor

“This whole boils down to the alcalde, oh the alcalde decides this.  The alcalde is a one-man show.  At the end of the day, the alcalde’s responsibility is to create peace and harmony within each community and the reason why the alcalde existed is because back in the day we had very limited human resources and I am talking about the policemen.  Many of these communities, we didn’t have road access, hence the reason I think they established the alcalde system to have peace, to protect peace and harmony and to be a judge to hear cases, like civil matters.  Their role is that they cannot charge anything exceeding fifty dollars, and that was the reason why the alcalde system exists.  At the end of the day, people elect a body that is called the village council, seven members are elected in every community or every village.  They are responsible for the village affairs from water, land, cemetery, everything, parks, everything that is the village’s business.  Hence the reason I am asking, respect the village council, they are elected, not the alcalde.  By the way, I think they have, some alcaldes are elected, some are appointed.  But at the end of the day, Cristina Coc and Pablo Mis and their entourage are not elected.  The people elected a village council to represent the village.  So I am asking you to support this cause, support this movement.  Enough is enough with Cristina Coc and her movement.”