BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Oct. 12, 2023
Seismic testing is expected to get underway in the upcoming months in 4 villages in the Toledo District following the signing of an agreement between the villages and US Capital Energy over the weekend.
The signing of the agreement for oil exploration on Maya Communal Land in the villages of Crique Sarco, Midway, Boom Creek and San Felipe was done under the Consent Order which guarantees Free, Prior and Informed Consent. The FPIC allows the various villages to consent to oil exploration on their lands, and as such the signing of the agreement proceeded under the watchful eyes of the Government.
1st Alcalde of Midway Village, Oscar Canelo, who spoke on behalf of his villagers, expressed their combined appreciation for the economic opportunity that they have been given. According to Canelo, via the last agreement that the village had with US Capital Energy some years ago, villagers had an influx of cash and economic activities passing through the village permitting them to invest and improve the lives of their families.
It is under that same microscope that the Minister of Natural Resources and Petroleum, Hon. Cordel Hyde is looking at the agreement. Via his comments to the gathering, Hyde indicated, “It is an exciting possibility if we can find oil in commercial quantities. Mr. King assures us that there is oil in commercial quantities here, and we believe him. Ultimately, at the end of the day, if we are able to find oil in commercial quantities, it’s going to be a beautiful thing for Belize.”
Area Representative for Toledo West, Hon. Oscar Requena also declared his support for the launching of seismic testing through the four villages, saying that even if oil is not found, then the process itself will create employment and economic opportunities for villagers who do not have a dependable income.
The latest development comes after there was discord, back in 2006, between the indigenous communities and US Capital Energy when the government had granted US Capital Energy a permit to conduct oil exploration in the Sarstoon Temash National Park. The leaders of the indigenous communities have been on the forefront of resisting oil exploration on their communal land, fearing that the oil company would damage the sensitive environment and that the villagers would derive little profit from the activity.