On January 20, 2017, while the United States watched the swearing in of one its most controversial and oppressive presidents ever elected, the Maya people of Southern Belize swore in new leadership under their traditional governance system, recognized under both Maya cultural authority and the State of Belize. The alcaldes were elected in a peaceful process by 39 villages. Cultural Survival congratulates the new leaders, including Mr. Santiago Quib, the newly president of the Toledo Alcaldes Association, and welcome a continued working relationship over the next two years in support of the realization of Indigenous rights in Belize.
Press release by the Maya Leaders Alliance:
Punta Gorda Town, Toledo - Throughout history, the Maya people have provided examples of tolerance, order and respect in a community based life. A life that is deeply connected with our lands and sacred sites, and with very low incidents of crime. Key to this is the centennial work of the Alcaldes. For over a century now, the Alcaldes work together with the Maya villages as guardians of Maya values and norms. Entrusted by their communities, the Alcaldes are the authorities of the Alcaldes System established to maintain the order of the villages using traditional governance.
Toledo Alcaldes Association, the representative body of the Maya Peoples of Southern Belize, applauds the 38 Maya villages for the peaceful transition of leadership. This Friday January 20 2017, marks the swearing in of 76 Alcaldes to traditional leadership roles. Elected by a majority of votes within each village, the Alcaldes will represent the members of their village over a term of 2 years, and act under the authority of both the Maya cultural tradition and the Constitution of Belize. The swearing-in ceremony was administered by Justice Antoinette Moore in representation of Chief Justice Kenneth Benjamin. At the time of the swearing in ceremony, the alcaldes also elected Mr. Santiago Quib, Alcalde of San Benito Poite, as the next president of the Toledo Alcaldes Association.
The Alcaldes serve their communities in local and regional affairs and by working with local police and government bodies towards building a just, peaceful, and equitable Belize. At today’s ceremony Maya Elder Mr. Pio Coc J.P, Mr. Ernest Banner of the Ministry of Rural Development, Superintendent Clemente Cacho of the Punta Gorda Police Formation and Mr. Lawrence Bolon the President of DAVCO-Toledo offered words of wisdom and support to the newly elected Alcaldes.
The Maya people of southern Belize takes the opportunity to also congratulate the State of Belize for their continued role in supporting and recognizing the authority of the Maya Peoples’ traditional governance, in accordance with international human rights frameworks such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and recommendations made under the Universal Periodic Review. Supporting the Alcaldes and the autonomy of the Maya people’s governance is a way of showing respect to our collective and peaceful way of living. Through the alcalde system, we have been able to hold our world together even in the most remote villages and in so doing contributing to the construction of a truly diverse and just Belizean society.
The swearing in ceremony of the 76 elected Alcaldes took place at the Parish Hall in Punta Gorda Town, starting at 7:00am, with a traditional Mayan ceremony and culminating with the signing of oaths of office.
