TAA says Gustava Requena Is against Maya Land Rights

Four days ago, the Ministry of Human Development announced that Gustavo Requena had been appointed as the Director of the Office of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs. The ministry said that Requena was born and raised in a Maya community and brings firsthand experience and understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by indigenous populations. But the Toledo Alcaldes Association says otherwise. The association fired off a press release, saying the government failed to consult them on Requena’s appointment. Spokesperson Cristina Coc told News Five that Requena has made public statements against Maya land rights.

 

Cristina Coc, Spokesperson, MLA/TAA

“We were not informed 1st of all that, that this appointment was already decided.  In fact, we learned of this through a press release, a government press release. So we were never formally informed of this decision. And I think that this would have been a critical decision to have informed the Toledo Alcaldes Association in particular, given that we are appellants to the Maya land rights case. And it is a case that this office seeks  to further advance and implement.  Now,  the Toledo Alcalde’s Association has taken the position to denounce  the  appointment of Mr. Requena  primarily on the basis that he has made public statements against the Maya land rights. And, we have heard him on numerous occasions, making these public declarations against, customary land rights, against the claims of the Toledo Alcalde’s Association. And so then, we asked the question how can he be  fit to implement in an objective way this very important  case.  So that’s our main and primary concern.”