Patriotic contingent plants flag where Guat trader had illegally set up bodega on Belizean soil
BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Sept. 13, 2012
In commemoration of the annual September celebrations, and more specifically St. George’s Caye Day, a delegation of about 60 Belizeans from across the country travelled the rugged terrain of the south to the border village of Jalacte, Toledo—red, white and blue Belize flags in hand—in a show of solidarity and a statement to the world that Belize is a sovereign and independent nation with 8,867 square miles of inviolable territory.
“It was really very encouraging to see Belizeans wanting to show the world: Look we have a border!” said Punta Gorda activist Wil Maheia, the leader of the contingent.
Maheia told us that the youngest person on the trip was Ray Arzu, Jr., 2, and the eldest person was former Ombudsman, Cynthia Pitts.
The last time Pitts went to Jalacte was back in 2009, when she joined a mission led by the Organization of American States (OAS) to oversee the removal of a bodega set up by Guatemala farmer/trader, Leonel Arellanos, on a hill on the outskirts of Jalacte, and inside Belizean territory. Despite Arellanos’ threat of violence, the bodega was removed, and Pitts said that the hill he had taken occupation of has since returned to its natural state.
Pitts said it was there that the delegation proceeded to plant the Belizean flag—with the road that marks the border within clear view of where they stood making their patriotic gesture.
Maheia had led a similar delegation to Jalacte last September, but a Belize Defence Force officer challenged them saying, “Young man, please tek down da flag fi me, yuh no… You have wah amount a meters weh you can’t put nothing”
This year, Maheia reported, there was thankfully no resistance from anyone.
Instead, the delegation was met by the alcalde of Jalacte, who joined them with residents from the area, as they went on their expedition to confirm Belize’s territorial stance.
Maheia said that the people who travelled to Jalacte—and especially the women—were resolute to make it to the border, despite heavy rains the night before which made travelling conditions difficult. On the way, they were delayed by a mudslide on the road, now under construction, as the Government advances a $48 million road development project in the area. The contractor, Cisco Construction, responded within two hours to clear the road so the expedition to the border could proceed.
Maheia said that despite the rain, the flooded river and the bad road, the people were firm that “we are going to get to the top of the hill, plant our flag and let the world know we have our border…”
He said that they have been undertaking such border expeditions for five years now. They have previously been to the Sarstoon and Gracias a Dios, and they may change their location next year to a new border village, Maheia said.
“This is something which I think the government should support, because it cuts across every line and should be seen as a national effort. It cuts across races and politics,” Cynthia Pitts urged.
She recollected that while they were traveling via bus to the border, Garifuna boys were beating their drums, and a Mayan man danced with a Garifuna lady.
Pitts said that she joined the expedition because, “I thought that it was one of the meaningful ways of celebrating the 10th of September.”
One concern she cited, which was highlighted by some of the residents of Punta Gorda, was the fact that trade and movement is completely unregulated on the border at Jalacte, because there are no Customs or Immigration posts there. In a virtual free-trade zone, people who trade back and forth do so without it costing them a cent, Pitts pointed out.
“We have to solve the Guatemala thing [referring to the territorial dispute], and while we wait, put up something [at Jalacte] so citizens feel you care about them,” she said.
Pitts is looking forward to making the trek again next year, and she said that her sister in states has promised to join them.