GUATEMALAN XATERO CAMP FOUND IN SOUTHERN BELIZE
Over the years Belize’s forests have been victims of Guatemalan Xateros who come to rob us of our healthy environment. This time a research team consisting of members of the Ya’axche Conservation Trust, BDF soldiers, guides from San Jose and lead Scientist Mr. Paul Walker discovered an illegal camp while conducting research in the Snake Creek area, deep inside the Bladen Nature Reserve. Bartholomew Teul is the Community Outreach and Livelihoods, Advocacy Programme Manager.
Bartholomew Teul - Community Outreach and Livelihoods, Advocacy Programme Manager
“They came upon a camp that is used by Guatemalan xateros, a camp that could easily accommodate 15 persons. While they did not find anyone, there were signs of recent occupation and they are very concerned, we are very concerned because we co manage Bladen Forest Reserve with the Forest Department that this area is systematically being raped by these Guatemalan xateros. These people had such a high confidence that nobody would disturb them, nobody would go and take away their personal beginnings that they leave personal effects such as clothing, even shoes, food, Super Cola which they brought on horses all the way into the area with no fear of being arrested or even detected.”
The Xateros don’t seem to worry about their illegal entry into the country and they keep venturing deeper every time, in fact this camp comes close in comparison with others they’ve erected in the jewel.
Bartholomew Teul - Community Outreach and Livelihoods, Advocacy Programme Manager
“I think this is almost in line with what happens in Chiquibul because some of them come as far as Natural Arch and that is a good distance in, this could probably be a little further inside.”
Teul says that based on their reports they are trying to disseminate the information to those who have authority and who can help make the people aware of these happenings, since they are mostly overlooked by our citizens. When asked what solutions they have in mind, this is what he had to say:
Bartholomew Teul - Community Outreach and Livelihoods, Advocacy Programme Manager
“What we are recommending is more frequent patrols in that area, it is a very rugged area, very difficult to get into but I believe it is our responsibility along with the Forest Department and the BDF of course, we are hoping that they will continue to assist us in providing security to go into this area and try to discourage these people or even better to catch them. According to the patrol it would seem that catching them can be done, it is not easily done because they have people out there watching and waiting but they can be caught if we spring a very good ambush, that is the only way they could be arrested. We would like much more presence of our military in the area, along the border. We know that it is very porous, it is difficult to manage every portion of our border but I think the main entry point for these guys would be in the vicinity of the Machiquilla Conservation Post and if more patrols are put between that post and the Rio Blanco Post I think, and then of course patrolling the area and actually arrest them and make an example of them, not arrest them and then next day escort them to the border and send them back home because before the security force gets to their base, they are already back inside the protected areas.”
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