Oil Drilling in Belize National Park and Maya villages (click here)

The opening of the computer lab in San Pedro Colombia

Hundreds of Q’eqchi Mayas gathered around while music blared and the oil company representatives prepared to present their gifts and convincing words to the people and village leaders. Sunday November 4^th was the opening ceremony of the internet computer lab in San Pedro Colombia, the largest Maya village in the Toledo district of Belize. Located thirty minutes outside of Punta Gorda, the village is scattered with thatch homes, pigs and chickens running freely and is populated by Q’eqchi’ Mayas. Most of the elders of the villagers wore their traditional clothing, while a large number of the younger generation wore either red or blue clothing, representing the bloods and crypts gangs that have been sweeping across the Maya villages of southern Belize.

I was not only in attendance but sitting at the head table as I was to represent the Roman Catholic Schools management and speak on behalf of the local manager. Little did I know the corporation who donated the 38 brand new computers (about $53,000 US) is an oil company out of Denver Colorado called CHx. CHx is owned by the same couple who owns BNE (Belize Natural Energy) and both are foreigners.

CHx corporation and US Capital corporation have partnered up to drill oil in the Sarstoon Temash region of Belize, encompassing the 41, 898 acre Sarstoon Temash National Park and the five most southern villages in Belize. CHx chose San Pedro Columbia to pilot this computer project in order to demonstrate to the five Sarstoon Temash villages the benefits and possibilities that may come about if the oil drilling goes smoothly in their villages. The oil companies sent the message to the chairpersons of the village, ‘let us have our way with your land and you will be rewarded’.

Chairpersons from the five villages, a representative from the Ministry of Education, representatives from CHx Corporation, US Capital, USG (seismic testing corporation) and I sat front and center in chairs lined up next to a large PA system. This event began with the Belize’s national anthem, a prayer in Q’eqchi’ by the Catechist, and a welcoming from the primary school principal. I spoke on behalf of the district schools, thanking the oil company’s for their donation and each of the representatives spoke to the people on behalf of their corporation. They shared a bit about their company and encouraged the people to be on board. Mr. Alistair King of US Capital spoke with his Maya counterpart at his side who translated into Q’eqchi encouraging the Maya villagers not to believe all the negative press that they hear on the news and in the cities about oil companies. He shared that it was the oil companies that built the roads leading out to a few of the nearby villages and they are now investing in their children’s future with this computer program. Between each these presentations there was a cultural dance by the school children, lifting the mood and creating the perception that this day is a celebration and landmark event for the Maya culture.

After the hour and a half ceremony the oil companies were also generous enough the provide drinks and tamales to all the people in attendance. This ceremony seemed to run smoothly and just as the oil companies had planned it. It was a quick and organized ceremony giving the oil corporations a friendly and positive face to impress the village leaders from the Sarstoon Temash villages and convince them to allow the drilling.

What I saw and took part in was an upright exploitation of the Maya people and bribery of the chairpersons from the villages that live, grow crops, wash clothes, and survive and the land that will soon be torn up providing millions to the foreign oil companies. Royalties will be allocated to the government of Belize, to the environmental organizations and computer labs are projected to be opened in the villages by next school year. My disgust for what I saw today was especially strong because of my participation in the event in which I had to sit next to the CHx Representative and stand up in front of the Maya villagers, many of whom I am helping with retreats and confirmation programs, and thank these oil companies for their generosity since I was the only other non Maya or Belizeans in attendance. I felt like I was the only person in this crowd of hundreds who was screaming on the inside because I knew that the oil companies will be taking millions and hurting the land and leaving the local people with little. The drilling in southern Belize will provide short term jobs that are much needed in the Toledo district which is starving for jobs. However these jobs are not sustainable and will take most people away from the cultivation of their plantation and other projects for their village. I have heard about and studied a great deal about exploitation of indigenous and marginalized people, but today was the first time I saw it first hand as I sat shoulder to shoulder the oil company representatives who so slyly and effectively dropped in to the Toledo district, gave some presents and went out their way. Drilling is supposed to begin within the next few weeks.