Sarteneja residents say government cancelled land titles
The all too familiar problem of land has reached the remote village of Sarteneja in the Corozal District. Unlike other villages that are growing exponentially, the availability of land is not the problem in Sarteneja. There is enough of it, but over a hundred villagers have had titles to their land cancelled. News Five’s Isani Cayetano travelled to Sarteneja today where he got a firsthand account of the controversy that is brewing.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
Residents of the coastal community are incensed about the cancellation of land titles issued to them by the previous government administration. Coincidentally, the letters received came while preparations are being made for the upcoming village council elections and residents complain that they are being treated unfairly. They gathered outside a local church this afternoon where they met with the area representative and an attorney.
Alan Cruz, Resident
alan cruz
“The people of Sarteneja are not happy with what is happening here in Sarteneja. They are receiving cancellation of lots that they already have a title and they gone to pay their rents in Corozal and they noh want to accept and that’s why we are here today to see what is the best way to deal with this matter because we heard that the government is not doing nothing for us and we want to send this message to the government that Sarteneja is not happy with what is happening right now.”
In 2007 a hundred and eight parcels of land situated on a ten acre plot adjacent to the airstrip were distributed along with titles and other documentation. According to the villagers they made several attempts to pay property taxes on individual parcels but were told that taxes were not being collected. They are now being told that the termination of titles is due in part to nonpayment.
victor munoz
Victor Munoz Sr., Village Council Chairman
“I always advise my people to take action because the fault what I think belongs to the government that didn’t want to receive the revenue again and so they chose to develop the land if they didn’t have a receipt where they can prove that the contract by a lease is filled with the government.”
What they have now resulted to is seeking legal action against the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Alan Cruz
“We as villagers we of Sarteneja, we gone to the area representative, Florencio Marin and he come to us and he said he will bring help for us and he said also together with everybody we will fight this matter.”
Florencio Marin Jr. the constituency’s area representative says that he has tabled the concerns of the people in several Cabinet meetings but government has repeatedly ignored the problem. He suggests that a solution can be easily met.
Florencio Marin Jr., Area Representative
florencio marin jr.
“Well it’s easy for the government. All they have to do is stop the victimization of people and stop intimidating them and allowing them to take their lease to title as opposed to threatening them, not allowing them to pay their taxes that they are willing to go and pay and finishing the process that needs to be finished. It’s not difficult, it’s in their hands.”
Until GOB resolves the matter cancellation letters keeping piling up and residents are worried about not getting property they feel they rightfully deserve.
Sarteneja Resident
“We are very concerned about it because as long as the previous government issued the land to the Sartenejeno that means that have a right so I think if somebody give you something, it is not fine that somebody else comes and takes it away. so our concerns have been serious and we want to send a message clearly to the government that this is totally illegal and totally victimization. So we want this issue to be taken seriously because it’s the Sartenejenos right especially the young people that are getting their lands. You know that lands is one of the biggest issues of this country so Sartenejenos are very proud that they still have that.”
The situation in Sarteneja Village is among several issues relating to land acquisition in the name of village expansion. Sand Hill Village in the Belize District is also dealing with land constraints as a result of land shortage. Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
these people just need to be patient, election time the round their pup peoples will just change it right back.. they only need to worry after 5 years more pass…ay ya yi..politico…it never works!
This situation always have brought problems to Sarteneja. This people that asr speaking are ones who should not be saying anything…….I have known Alan Cruz and Victor Muñoz and why dont thay ever mention how much parcels of land they have? During the past government they were the ones taking the lands from the people and now that this is happening to them they are and. The reality of this is that the lots of lands that are being taken away are from people that have been only getting land and selling, while other people from Sarteneja do not even have one lot of land. So”Village Council from Sarteneja” please examine everything that you all have done before telling lies to the people of Belize.
I really don’t understand the way the Dean Barrow gov’t is leading our country,yes they promised to take away lands,that was a UDP promise,if the UDP are saying that the lands that the People’s United Party gave to its supporters are illegal {because the Dean “BURRO” administration } cancelled so many,thousands of house lots even to poor Belizeans who recieved a piece of land under the PUP gov’t,and they are taking it away and they give it to THEIR cronies,GAPY Vega MINISTER OF LANDS took away many lots in Consejo Shores and he sold it back to the Hon”.Pablo Marin minister of health,also he gave lots to his his compadre Gillette[Gillette’s meat shop in orange walk} gapy gave lots to his daughter,and many others,even thou the rightful owners had titles to their lots,”SO isn’t that ILLEGAL also?we still remeber that gapy vega sold a nature {crooman lagoon}reserve to a hindu in Belize city,from which the ministry of natural resources{gapy vega} was taken to court by the [Protected areas society] and were ordered to pay all costs of development that the man already have done,and other costs- isn’t that ILLEGAL ALSO mr gapy vega”?so if the UDP are taking away lots just because ur a PUP supporter ,then why can’t they give or find lots to give to their supporters n different district because they have cancelled so many titles all around the country especially during this Village council elections,so if u have a lot and u don’t vote UDP they just cancell the title,and that is wrong ,I can understand some Bigger PUP’S that have more than 2,3 or 4 lots then thats different take bak and give the people,but not all the poor people,shuks” this UDP really only got heart for themselves,and what they are doing can only be called “VICTIMISATION”,……AND WHAT THE ‘UDP” ARE DOING IS JUST TIE THE ROPE TO THEIR NECKS.” THE people are tired of the UDP,bs its time for them to start do someting about the crime situation,robberies,unemployments,corruption,nepotism,bring down the cost of LIVING ‘no matter what”.
The UDP Gov’t don’t have respect for the people of Belize ,some PUP village councils,were elected by the people of said villages,and law ,members of the village councils would be members of water boards,and lands committees,which the UDP took all water boards,land comittees’ in their control, so thats not a problem- the PROBLEM is that their should be 4\UDP members and 3 PUP members in anyone of the committee’s which the UDP boards are not respecting by law,for example in villages in Orange Walk south which some are controlled by mostly 7 PUP – elected representatives,for the people ,are not even invited in board meetings from lands,water board etc,just because its a PUP ,village council,so if their is no respect for the people of this country what can we expect from the prime minister,’HE’S THE EXAMPLE ALL ORDERS COME FROM HIM”. AND THE PEOPLE ARE WATCHING WE ALL SEE THAT THEY HAVE LOST GROUND IN MOST VILLAGES CONTROLLED BY THE UDP.THE PEOPLE ARE AWAKE MR DEAN “BURRO,.
This situation is really not the right onto the eyes of many people, but only if you have leaved at Sarteneja for over ten years you cn say that those people ar getting ” A taste from their own soup”. Those persons speaking, especially Alan Cruz and Victor Muñoz, are the ones who are the least to speak about for they are the people who have more land lots than anyone in the village. The worst part of this is that people may think that they are the “good characters of the story” but by knowing them for so long I can say that this persons, if they can be called like that, are the ones who more land lots have sold from the village. They are speaking about VICTIMIZATION because they are the ones who more know about the meaning of the word! So, befor speaking Mr, Florencio Marin Jr. please check all your millions hacres of lans you and your Father( Mr. Sr.) have obtained from the past govenment; LANDS THAT SHOULD BE FROM THE PEOPLE OF BELIZE.
I WANT TO THANK CH5 FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL THE TRUTH TO THE PEOPLE OF BELIZE NAD SO PLEASE ” VILLAGE COUNCIL FROM SARTENEJA AND AREA REP. TELL THE TRUTH TO THE PEOPLE OF BELIZE.
well i come from a village that is going through the same thing only that it is worst because they are taking the land from the village and giving it to persons who are not from the village and worst yet not even from the division or area and the worst part who can even see the area representative which to say is a UDP area representative take away from another UDP who seems to be like his boss a no balls man for allow such blatant disrespect for his electorate division such a shame on him as an area representative
this is really bad, just for an example i’m trying to buy a piece of land from a salvadorenian who owns three lots in santa elena cayo. how the hell he got them i don’t know. i’m a 100% belizean to the bone and blood and jez i can’t get one. i’ve tried with the area rep. who while campaigning promised me to help on it. but i’ll i get is check back next week and i’m tired of going over and over. this guys the have lots for sale. i want to buy one but it’s the only way i can get a piece of the jewel being my own country. guess what they told me the area rep gave them while they campaign for them, they can’t vote but they have land for sale. embarrassing for me to buy land from a immigrant in my own country due to the spoiled ministers that do this crazy things.
I don’t care who is what to whom and when they did it. IT IS WRONG! To say that a previous wrong justifies the other is sick. Besides, when will the people who continuously accuse the former government of wrongdoing bring some proof? This wingnut type of politics where accusations are hurled with impunity needs to stop.
Those people in Sarteneja are not rich people. They are hard working Belizeans and the letters signed by government officials are crystal clear on the thievery and chanciness of this mal-administration. The La-la man needs to leave people’s birthright alone!
i just want to say that i agree what the government is doing,
Victor Munoz Sr is a corrupted person!