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Keme’s Cane Fields Were Burnt
posted (January 19, 2015)
So, while democracy failed to get sanctions against these members, did someone decide to take the law into their own hands and burn Javier Keme's cane fields?

That's what he and others want to know after Keme learned on Friday the vast acreages had been burnt. For those not familiar with cane politics, burning someone's field is the ultimate act of sabotage, since once the cane is burnt it has to be harvested immediately - and if it is not ready for harvest then the field goes to waste, a complete write-off. That's just what happened to Keme and he told us about it today:..

Javier Keme, Fields Were burnt
"The whole parcel is 16 acres, but I managed to harvest half of it last crop, at the end of the crop. About 7-8 acres remained there and that was what was set on fire. More or less about 180-200 tonnes. That's my calculation."

Jules Vasquez
"How much is your loss in financial terms?"

Javier Keme, Fields Were burnt
"Well, if you multiply that by the average price we got last year, that's $67 - that's about $12,000."

Reporter
"Do you have any idea who would want to do this to you?"

Javier Keme, Fields Were burnt
"I was expecting this from long time ago - from since we start this movement, we become target and that's the most susceptible area of a cane farmer - his cane fields. That's one of the weakness and that's why we can never stand up because if you have any problem - that's the way they deal with you."

Jules Vasquez
"If you knew that taking such position, would result in the burning of your field. If you had to do it again, would you take that position again?"

Javier Keme, Fields Were burnt
"Yes, that's why I am here. I know what I got involved in."

Reporter
"You fear that they will target you again? I mean Mr. Alonzo's house was burnt down."

Javier Keme, Fields Were burnt
"That is possible. I have more cane fields."

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