Last night, we told you about the stand SATIIM and the Mayan Buffer Communities are taking on US Capital Energy – the oil company which is in their back yard. It's basically a wait and see approach until they go back to court for an injunction against the oil company next month. But while they are waiting and seeing, they say Government and US Capital are dividing and conquering – or trying to at least. As we've shown you, government has been active in the area – even holding a meeting in Sunday Wood attended by two ministers and top technocrats. Ch'oc commented on it yesterday:
Gregory Ch'oc - Executive Director, SATIIM
"Since Madam Justice Arana issued her ruling, there's been a flurry of activities, obviously sanctioned by the Government of Belize, US Capital Energy, whose aim is to undermine the Unity in the Maya Community, to pit one group against the other."
Alfonso Cal - President, Toledo Alcalde Association
"But as we notice today, like our community has been saying, there's been a lot things happening. There are people reaching out to them, sharing their ideas of the way other want the community to live."
Gregory Ch'oc
"I think they will stand firm, the 4 communities. I can comfortably say that they are united as one, and they will move forward together. I'm happy that majority of the Alcaldes and the exective of the Alcalde Association is here, the representative of the Maya Leaders Alliance are here, and that this is fundamentally important for all the organizations who believe in justice, fairness, and to come together."
And while those are high ideals, their attorney Eamon Courtenay says that Sundaywood is irrelevant to their action:
Eamon Courtenay, SC - Attorney for Mayan Buffer Communities
"Sunday Wood is not a party to this claim. There was no order by court they consult with Sunday Wood. They are not meeting the judgement of Madam Justice Arana by consulting with Sunday Wood."
And so the position going forward for SATIIM and the communities is that US Capital is on their lands and the company has no valid permit:..
Eamon Courtenay, SC - Attorney for Mayan Buffer Communities
"The Government according to their letter, says that they waive the expiration of the permit. I don't know what that means. What I do know is that April 30 has come and gone, and according to the Government, they have not extended the permit. It means that the permit has expired. If the permit has expired, US Capital has no legal right to be conducting activities in the National Park. That matter is going to be decided by Madam Justice Arana when we come to the injunction hearing on June 16."
We will report on that court date next month.
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