Representatives of the Property Rights Observatory announced that the invasion complaint process of the Yalcobé farm, in Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz, began on Thursday, June 18 and keeps the harvest for oil palm production on hold.
It is the first time that an usurpation has occurred on this property, explained Andrea Cáceres, coordinator of the Property Rights Observatory. He added that Alta Verapaz is the department with the highest number of annual complaints for invasions and cases known to the Public Ministry.
“It is an issue that generates special concern in the country,” said Cáceres, due to the two recurring typologies in that region: appropriation for profit and appropriation for the purposes of organized crime.
This invasion, the director explained, began last week, when between 50 and 80 people entered the plantation. Field personnel cannot enter an area of more than 25 hectares to harvest oil palm.
“It is the first time that this specific land has been invaded,” Cáceres reiterated.
The complaint has already been presented to the Public Ministry. Besides, The eviction and support of the public force was requested.
Usurpation paralyzes harvest
The records of the Property Rights Observatory show that Alta Verapaz is one of the departments with the highest incidence of encroachments, since on average it accumulates a thousand complaints annually, so the problem is structural.
These invasions are for profit, as the organizers promote usurpation to then divide and market lots, falsify documents and deceive family units with the assumption that the property is state-owned.
Another mechanism used during invasions consists of placing a group of women and minors, including infants, in front to facilitate access. The case of the Yalcobé farm, in Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, is one of those documented.
Then a group of people enter to take control of the invaded area.
The process that is followed when an usurpation occurs is complicated, because the presence of the National Civil Police (PNC) and the order of the competent judge are needed to execute the eviction. “The important thing is not to allow time to pass and use the mechanisms that are in law for an immediate eviction,” Cáceres added.
The company that owns the farm has also been affected by encroachments in other farming areas, Therefore, according to Cáceres, it is a recurring problem.
“Alta Verapaz has accumulated, in the last five years, a thousand complaints for usurpation and is among the departments with the highest number of complaints for the commission of this crime,” he noted.
Usurpations total up to 2,600 complaints
In the analyzes of the Property Rights Observatory, the usurpations that most affect the country are the following:
- Appropriation for profit. Organized ringleaders promote occupation to profit from the fraudulent sale and lease of lots. They use forged property titles and false documents.
- Appropriation for the purposes of organized crime. Armed groups invade strategic properties to carry out illicit activities.
Records indicate that between 2,400 and 2,600 complaints of usurpation are filed each year.
In addition to Alta Verapaz, the departments with the highest incidence are Guatemala, Huehuetenango, San Marcos, Petén, Sololá, Escuintla, Chimaltenango, Quetzaltenango and Santa Rosa.
They demand respect
The Chamber of Agriculture (Camagro) ruled this Thursday on the invasion of private property in Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, Alta Verapaz, and condemned the occupation of the farm. In a statement, the organization affirmed that respect for private property and the rule of law are fundamental conditions to protect investment, generate employment and promote the development of the country.
Likewise, the entity called on the Public Ministry, the Ministry of the Interior, the National Civil Police and the other competent authorities to act immediately, in order to enforce the law, restore legal order and guarantee respect for private property. Camagro added that legal certainty and institutional strengthening are necessary to maintain investment, employment and development opportunities in Guatemala.
Oil palm is grown in three regions
According to data from the Guatemalan Palm Growers Guild (Grepalma), oil palm cultivation is concentrated in three main regions. The southern region includes San Marcos, Quetzaltenango, Retalhuleu, Suchitepéquez and Escuintla. The northeastern region covers Izabal and Alta Verapaz, in the valleys of the Motagua and Polochic rivers. The northern region includes southern Petén, northern Alta Verapaz, and northeastern Quiché.
Occupants keep the property taken over
Rodrigo Díaz, representative of NaturAceites in Fray Bartolomé de las Casas, reported that the occupation began on Friday of last week, after the company received information about a meeting in the La Vilmita neighborhood, where, as he indicated, people were being recruited to invade the property.
According to Díaz, about 80 women, accompanied by children, initially entered the farm. Agents from the National Civil Police (PNC) went to the scene and urged the group to leave, which happened around 11 a.m.
However, that same day, at approximately 3 p.m., the group returned, this time accompanied by men. According to the company representative, the PNC intervened again to warn that it was private property, but the occupants stated that they would not leave the place until there was an order from the competent authority.
Díaz explained that, since then, the occupants have remained intermittently on the land, which covers about 25 hectares, a situation that has prevented the normal development of agricultural activities.
He added that three workers were forced to abandon their work after being threatened with knives, so the company decided to suspend the harvest to avoid exposing the staff.
“We have not been able to harvest the oil palm due to the presence of these people. We have not wanted to put our workers at risk,” he stated.
Invaders delimit property lots
Díaz indicated that prosecutors and investigators have already carried out a visual inspection at the site; However, he expressed concern because, while the legal procedures progress, the occupants continue to settle on the land.
According to the company representative, about 25 hectares of oil palm cultivation are currently affected.
He also assured that the occupants began to take measurements, place stakes and raise nylon traps inside the property.
Likewise, he pointed out that the company received information that a professional had prepared plans of the area that, presumably, are used to offer spaces to third parties. Díaz indicated that this fact will also be reported to the corresponding authorities.
NaturAceites filed a complaint about the case last Friday and ratified it on Monday before the Public Ministry.
They ask to investigate usurpation networks
The representative of NaturAceites called on the authorities to expedite investigations and guarantee respect for private property rights.
“We are not the only ones who face this problem in Guatemala. We ask that those who, according to our information, deceive people by offering them land that do not belong to them be investigated,” he said.