Tensions escalated in San Marcos Village, Toledo, on Saturday as Maya residents staged a significant demonstration against unauthorized land clearing operations within their ancestral territories. Carrying placards with messages such as ‘Our silence is over’ and ‘These lands feed our children,’ a unified assembly of men, women, and children marched to the perimeter of contested lands, asserting their constitutional and customary rights.
The protest, broadcast via livestream, highlighted growing frustrations over the alleged destruction of forested areas essential for traditional farming, housing materials, and local livelihoods. Community representatives emphasized that their actions constitute a defense of recognized rights, not an encroachment on private property. One resident explicitly invoked the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), stating, ‘The CCJ has affirmed our rights as Maya people,’ referencing the landmark 2015 Consent Order that acknowledged Maya customary land rights in Belize.
This mobilization occurs months after the CCJ concluded its supervisory jurisdiction over the implementation of the Consent Order. While the court acknowledged procedural progress, numerous Maya leaders have expressed concerns regarding the sluggish and superficial application of the ruling on the ground.
In a formal joint statement, the San Marcos Village Council and Alcalde declared that any clearing activity within their communal lands breaches constitutional protections established in the Maya Leaders Alliance v Attorney General of Belize case. They urgently called upon national authorities to immediately cease further destruction and ensure strict adherence to the law.
In response to the escalating situation, Minister of Indigenous Affairs Dr. Louis Zabaneh stated on Friday that the government is actively engaging with both Maya communities and concerned private landowners. A dedicated Cabinet subcommittee—comprising the Ministries of Natural Resources, the Attorney General, Indigenous Affairs, Environment, and National Security—is currently reviewing these complex issues. A formal governmental response is anticipated in due course.
Simultaneously, a separate group of private landowners in the Toledo district has voiced apprehension regarding the proposed Maya land tenure bill. These individuals are seeking clarity on how the impending legislation might impact their legally held titles, property access, and long-term security, introducing another layer to this multifaceted land rights dispute.