Cotton Tree villagers to sue G.O.B. over lands given to Port Loyola residents

Thomas Marsden

A land dispute is tonight brewing between residents of Cotton Tree Village and Port Loyola Area Representative Anthony ‘Boots’ Martinez, following the parceling out of two hundred and fifty lots to be distributed among residence of his constituency.  The village council is up in arms, as it believes that they were not consulted prior to the decision.  They contend that the issuance of land to non-residents of Cotton Tree will constrict the natural expansion of their community, since locals should be given priority to own land.  This afternoon, a delegation from the village visited the law office of Barrow and Company to seek legal advice on the matter.  They intend to file an injunction to prevent the distribution of the allotted lands.

Thomas Marsden, Advisor to Cotton Tree Village Council

“Very recently, the Government of Belize made a statement at the House of Representatives actually, they confirmed that two hundred and fifty lots will be issued to people outside of Cotton Tree Village and the people of Cotton Tree Village are concerned because they were also, they also have the opinion that the country people will not benefit directly from this subdivision and the village council was not consulted according to the village council laws.”

Isani Cayetano

“My understanding is that these parcels have been assigned primarily to residents of Port Loyola.”

Thomas Marsden

“That is our understanding.”

Isani Cayetano

“Is there any legal action to be taken to either stop the government from issuing these lands on the part of the residents of Cotton Tree Village?”

Thomas Marsden

“Well the Cotton Tree people believe that the village council act gives them the opportunity for participating in the decision making concerning lands and the Cotton Tree Village council has done a survey of first time people who need lots and they picked up about three hundred and fifty signatures. Following that, the Village Council had a meeting and the gathering, the villagers, authorized the chairman to take further action and if it be legal action…well. Cotton Tree people believe that they should be a part of the development of their village.”

Isani Cayetano

“You guys have sought legal advice in terms of what to do next; the way forward. Can you speak to me about that?”

Thomas Marsden

“Yes, Cotton Tree Village Council has spoken to Mister Marshalleck and we, on our behalf, Mister Marshalleck will be filing legal action on this issue; that the government should respect the law as in the village council act.”

Isani Cayetano

“Failing that, if the courts decide in the favor of the government, what do you guys do next? It certainly restricts to some extent the expansion of the village.”

Thomas Marsden

“Well, the Cotton Tree people will always look after their rights and we believe that the laws of Belize are good laws and that good sense will prevail, you know.”

As we mentioned, an application for an injunction is pending.