Castro Accused of Illegal Land Seizure
Is the rogue minister hustling off residents?
If what is happening to one family in Sandhill is any indication, then landowners across this country need to be extra vigilant against this malicious, petty and arrogant UDP administration. Holding a title to a piece of land is no protection against the UDP, who apparently can act with impunity to seize as much as they want whenever they choose. Just ask the Thurstons, owners of the Baker’s Ranch in Sandhill. They have lived on the property since 1974, but learned last week that their Area Representative, Edmond Castro, is moving to seize a portion of the property so that he can distribute lots to his constituents.
Byron and Armead Thurston claim that they have never been approached by Castro with a query or a request for land, and only now are finding out his intentions through second hand sources. Even worse, Cabinet has allegedly already made the decision to acquire a portion of the land, without any sort of discussion or negotiation with the owners.
According to the facey Castro, the family owed some taxes so he just decided to go seize some of the land for his constituents in lieu of the taxes. He didn’t feel that he had to enter into any discussions with the family, or follow the procedures set out in law for the acquisition of property for the public purpose. He wanted the land, so he just decided to take it.
And the story gets much worse. Residents are claiming at Castro was offering them a deal for the lots – $300 for the survey and $1000 for the title. That money, claims one potential lot-owner, was to be paid to Castro and he would provide a receipt. Indeed, it seems that the corruption within the UDP knows no bounds, because no UDP Minister or operative outside of the Ministry of Natural Resources is authorized to collect any monies for lands. Those transactions must be carried out at the Ministry.
The Thurston family has retained the services of an attorney to fight against the victimization by Edmond Castro and the UDP. These actions in which the rights of citizens continue to be abused by the Government send a negative signal to potential investors in our country – At a time when the Government should be making every move to inspire confidence both at home and abroad.
The Belize Times will continue to follow the story and will keep you updated.
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3 Responses to “Castro Accused of Illegal Land Seizure”
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Hoping For Authority said on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 9:45
When I read this sort of news, I have to wonder if such representatives have ever taken the time to understand political science. I myself have never studied political science, in fact, my area of study is natural science which is much less open to interpretation. However, I do believe that there are some hard and fast concepts in politics. Power, for example, is the ability to influence a situation. That said, exercising power is not always a rightful act. Power can be exercised wrongfully – a parent abusing a child maybe. Authority on the other hand is being given the ability to exercise power by the majority. Mr. Castro has been given auhtority, but the sort of act chronicled above seems more like an abuse of power.
Being elected by the people of Belize is an honor, you become an honorable citizen. They have given their trust and hope that you will act authoritatively. Taking someones land, without following due process, without even the decency to notify the landowner is unfair. I’m asking, as a citizen, that the ministers realize the trust they have been given and cease to abuse the power we have given them.
clarisa said on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 13:32
They are desperate, the world is coming down and judging their actions, Hey Barrow and Castro remember this “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you”. Remember when you used to judge and criticize every action of the past government??? now is your turn, fix up your act, you are not benefiting the Belizean people, only you and your family!!!
hopeless said on Sunday, December 6, 2009, 16:11
Shocking – again – the news of what is happening to this country. I have been preparing to invest in Belize for several years, and now that I am in a position to do so, to relocate and become a productive member of the community – forget it. Will be looking for another community to help. I truly hope the hard working people of Belize get some reprieve from this abuse of power and corruption. Sickening.