The usurpation of the Yalcobé farm, located in Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz, dedicated to the cultivation of palm oil and whose operations remain interrupted, completed 20 days. Meanwhile, the Coordinating Committee of Agricultural, Commercial, Industrial and Financial Associations (Cacif) made an urgent call to the authorities to restore the right of property.
It is the first time an usurpation occurs on this farm, located in a semi-urban area, and there is fear among the inhabitants of the sector, because this type of incident is not recurring.
Invasion puts palm harvest at risk
The case is progressing in the corresponding legal instances, while the risk of crop loss persists in some oil palm plots, due to the fact that it has not been able to be harvested due to the presence of a group of people.
Rodrigo Díaz, Social Management Manager at NaturAceites, explained to Free press that the process continues in the corresponding legal instances. He added that an alert was issued regarding the possible loss of plots cultivated with oil palm, because field personnel cannot intervene to avoid any confrontation.
The personnel assigned to that farm were relocated to other areas, while the situation is resolved.
Yalcobé case moves towards an eviction
The manager commented that there is support from the National Civil Police (PNC) in the area. In addition, meetings have been held with the Departmental Government and the complaint filed with the Public Ministry (MP) records progress.
It is expected that, in the coming days, the file will go to a competent court to determine the measures requested by the MP, including security measures for the property and staff, arrest warrants and eviction.
He clarified that an eviction request does not constitute a sentence, but rather a preventive measure to protect the property and facilitate the removal of the occupants.
He explained that the group of people maintains a rotation, since during the day there is a group of women and at night another group made up of men remains.
Usurpation puts producers on alert
Regarding the operational part, Díaz asserted that the assigned personnel have not been able to enter the areas demarcated for the oil palm harvest due to the presence of the group that keeps the farm occupied.
One of the consequences is the possible loss of the palm fruit, since the identified lots have a cutting control. The area that was to be harvested during these 20 days could not be attended to, so a production cycle was lost.
Respect for private property is an essential principle of the rule of law and an essential condition to promote investment, generate employment and create development opportunities.
Another concern is the lack of maintenance in the affected areas, with the risk of pests emerging that contaminate other lots.
In addition, there is pressure from the workers assigned to the occupied lots for them to be released, since the invasion could spread to other areas and generate problems in the agricultural communities dedicated to these activities.
Cacif asks to guarantee private property
Through a statement, the Cacif reiterated his rejection of the invasion reported on the Yalcobé farm.
He explained that respect for private property is an essential principle of the rule of law and an essential condition to promote investment, generate employment and create development opportunities.
“Therefore, we urgently call on the corresponding authorities to, within the framework of their powers and with strict adherence to the law, act promptly to restore order and guarantee the protection of property rights,” the statement said.
The Cacif reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the institutions that guarantee legal security and defending the principles that allow business activity and economic growth, the statement added.