Things are getting testy between SATIIM and US Capital Energy. On Friday we told you how police tried to run interference on a SATIIM Boat that was heading out on a patrol along the Sarstoon full of alcaldes and Chairmen. Well, the police must have known that patrol were heading for to US Capital Energy's Temash #2 Drill Site where police were waiting along with US Capital personell. US Capital sent out a release today saying that SATIIM knows full well that permission needs to be sought before entering the site because it is an active and dangerous worksite. But SATIIM issued a release today saying that, quote, "We will not be told how and when to traverse our traditional lands. We will go where we decide we need to go as we have traditionally done. US Capital or the Government of Belize will not determine our movements on our traditional lands."
It condemned the presence of heavily armed police and BDF quote, "to intimidate SATIIM and the community leaders of the Sarstoon Temash Region."
The release adds that, quote,
"SATIIM and the Maya communities maintain that both Government of Belize and US Capital are engaged in illegal activities on Maya Customary Titled Lands…they are in illegal occupation," end quote.
The release states angrily, quote,
"We cannot tolerate this... perhaps it is that time has come to change our strategy." End quote.
They add that government should send the military to protect the border area.
US Capital for its part says that the confrontation was a publicity stunt by SATIIM and the Alcaldes were put in danger of being arrested for illegal entry. And in the end, they gave the Alcaldes and Chairmen a tour of the site.
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