Day 2: mother and daughter picket Land Department
It was day two for a mother and daughter who picketed the Lands Department in Belize City for eviction from the land they occupy. And today the daughter’s husband, Ricardo Sanchez conceded to News Five that they never held proper documents for the property. And to add to their woes, the Lands Department says another person holds valid documents to the same property. The land in question is occupied by Erlene Sanchez, who yesterday claimed that after living ten years on the land in the Rootsville area of Lake Independence, her husband had not only applied, but was awaiting receipt of the title to the land. She complained that she and her three children were given no more than thirty days to vacate and she questioned the transaction that transpired when the land was sold to another person. Today Sanchez and her mother bore placards, this time alleging that corruption was involved in the transaction. But according to Officer in charge at the Lands Department, Herman Castillo, the Department only became aware of the status of the property three weeks ago. He added that Sanchez had been squatting for ten years without proper papers.
Herman Castillo, Officer in Charge, Lands Department, Belize City
“First of all I need to clarify point that Mr. Sanchez or the person who claims to have a lease doesn’t have no lease or legal tender over the land. He is a squatter on this parcel of land and my understanding of the investigation is for the past ten years. our records do show that another Ms. Sanchez, Kim Sanchez, holds a freehold title for the same parcel of land. Mr. Ricardo Sanchez approached the office when he received an order of the court for eviction. We tried to assist him by sending a letter to the court to let the court get to know that he is in occupation of this land and that he has a certain development on the land already which is a timber and zinc dwelling/house. Apart from that, I don’t know how things transpired that Miss Kim Sanchez got this title. We have not studied that case as yet but it was a court ruling because they are squatting on private land. So the department cannot compromise ourselves to find a next piece of land for these people because they are squatting on private land. This parcel of land is already privately owned.”
Castillo says the Department will see how they can facilitate Sanchez and her family.
