1 week ago
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The Ministry of Constitution and Religious Affairs, Indigenous Affairs and Transportation has issued formal correspondence to the leadership of Indian Creek Village following the recent distribution of land certificates within the community, raising serious concerns about the legality of the process. In a letter dated April 7, and addressed to the village alcalde, the Ministry outlines that it had received information about a ceremony held on Monday, during which certificates titled “Indian Creek Village Communal Land” were issued to nearly 200 individuals. The certificates purported to grant residential lots measuring two hundred by two hundred feet. However, the Ministry makes it clear that those documents hold no legal standing. It emphasizes that only the Government of Belize, through the Lands Department, has the lawful authority to issue land titles or certificates, and directs that any further distribution must cease immediately. The correspondence also addresses the interpretation of the CCJ matter, Maya Leaders Alliance versus Attorney General of Belize 2015, clarifying that while the ruling affirms Maya customary land tenure, it does not grant authority to any alcalde to allocate or distribute land. The Ministry warns that issuing such certificates outside of the established legal framework may amount to a misrepresentation of authority and could expose those involved to potential civil or criminal liability. The situation is further complicated by reports that the land being distributed falls under private property managed by the Ya’axche Conservation Trust, which had already issued a cease and desist letter through its attorneys prior to the ceremony. Despite that, the event proceeded, and an estimated 160 residents now believe they have secured ownership of the parcels. Chairman of Indian Creek Village, Domingo Choc, has since spoken out against the move, describing it as illegal and calling for government intervention. Choc also expressed concern over the breakdown in cooperation between the alcalde and the village council, noting that prior agreements to work collaboratively were quickly abandoned.
Domingo Choc, Chairman, Indian Creek Village: “We want to make it a little clearer what the village Alcalde has been doing is illegal and moreover the Justice of the Peace is using this seal to sign a land document whereby he has no jurisdiction to do so. The village council is concerned and whereby we have met recently with the minister, the TAA, the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Julian Cho Society. Have met with us to come and work together but unfortunately the Alcalde refused to cooperate with us because he believes he is the supreme leader of the village granted by the CCJ which is against the CCJ’s order. We want the village alcaldes to respect the authority, the constitution that we are governed by. When it comes to land issue the Alcalde is issuing house lots for people outside of our community and issuing house lots to people under 16 years old and also people who already have house lots. This is clearly a form of land grabbing. According to what I saw on the certificate there is a number of that certificate it shows 168 and I believe it’s more than 168. The JP used his seal to sign that land document whereby he had no jurisdiction to do so.”
Chairman Choc says the matter has been brought to the attention of government officials, and the village council is now seeking urgent intervention to prevent further confusion and potential legal fallout for residents.
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