Santa Ana Village Approves Historic Oil Exploration Agreement with US Capital Energy

Another instance of the Free, Prior, and Informed Protocol (FPIC) took place yesterday in Santa Ana Village, Toledo District.  Under this protocol, the villagers signed a historic agreement that will see US Capital Energy given access to conduct oil exploration activities on the communal lands.  It has been a long and challenging process prior to reaching this consensus.  Santa Ana is the final and seventh community to sign such an agreement.  Attorney Andrew Marshalleck who has been deeply involved in the FPIC and compliance of Maya Land Rights, explained to Love News that while it is the government that gives the permits for seismic testing or oil exploration, the approval from the villagers were needed to proceed.

Pablo Mis, Executive Director of the Julian Cho Society, said that the agreement is the result of years of negotiations. 

In a release from the government earlier today, this is a landmark decision that paves the way for a new chapter in balancing development with the rights and voices of Indigenous communities, ensuring that they are at the heart of the decisions that affect their land, heritage, and future.