Jose Perez
Perez, speaking on behalf of the conservation community, also decries the recent position taken by Minister of Foreign Affairs Wilfred Elrington, stating that the ongoing issue of Guatemalan incursions cannot be dealt with solely from a legal perspective.
Jose Perez, Executive Director, APAMO
“As I’ve said before, we cannot continue to manage the affairs of our country as if we’re in a courtroom. I think our diplomats have vast experience and know quite well how to respond to these aggressions. It’s our sovereignty and I’m sure there are ways to addressing these things without evidence. Consult, we’re there, we’re on the ground, we need to see direct action. We cannot wait for another life to be lost.”
Isani Cayetano
“My understanding is that several recommendations were made at the last symposium that was held a year or so ago. Cursorily, can you tell us how many of these recommendations have been taken and implemented by government?”
Jose Perez
“Well I must commend the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Sustainable Development whom I know are in the process of developing a pretty comprehensive surveillance and monitoring program which should be led by our member organization down south, Ya’Axche, but that’s in the making. What we ask for is that cabinet colleagues of honorable Lisel Alamilla give her the support, give her the support so that the necessary financing and the investments are put into not only investments are put into not only environmental legislation enforcement but also jointly for national security. It has to be a joint effort. It cannot just be the conservation rangers, it has to be a joint effort with our national security but it cannot be done without the proper financing. So we ask of cabinet, we ask of government to ensure that enough and adequate financing is allotted to support our protected areas that are so vital, so vital to our socioeconomic realities of our country.”
On Tuesday, the Maya Leaders Alliance and the Toledo Alcaldes Association also issued a release denouncing the execution of Special Constable Conorquie. The MLA, which cited a similar incident in which an alcalde was shot by a xatero within the Columbia Forest Reserve a year ago, is also demanding that government takes a more firm position in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
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