A long-simmering land conflict in southern Belize has taken a major step toward resolution, following a high-stakes negotiating session held this week in the nation’s capital of Belmopan.
On Wednesday, Indigenous Affairs Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh convened a direct dialogue with representatives from three key stakeholders: the community of San Marcos, the Toledo Alcalde Alliance, and the Maya Leaders Alliance. The talks were convened to ease escalating tensions between the San Marcos community and a private individual with competing claims to the contested land. By the end of the meeting, both conflicting sides had reached a preliminary agreement to move the process forward.
In comments following the negotiation, Minister Zabaneh outlined the terms of the tentative deal. Over the next 21 days, technical teams from Belize’s Ministry of Natural Resources will conduct an on-site assessment to formally demarcate the exact parcel of land at the center of the disagreement. “We are grateful that both parties agreed to this collaborative path forward,” Zabaneh stated.
The minister also highlighted the recent establishment of a joint review panel, which includes both government officials and elected Maya community leaders. This panel is currently working through revisions to draft legislation aimed at addressing long-standing indigenous land rights issues across the country, creating a broader policy framework to prevent similar disputes in the future.
In the coming days, the Maya Leaders Alliance will fulfill its commitment to community transparency: the group is scheduled to gather with San Marcos residents this Friday to walk through the details of this week’s negotiations, answer questions, and gather community input on the next steps of the process.
More full remarks from Minister Zabaneh on the San Marcos land dispute will be broadcast during News 5’s evening 6 o’clock program tonight for audiences seeking further updates on the negotiation.