Squatters in Krooman Lagoon Face Eviction, Seek Government Assistance

Around thirty persons squatting in the Krooman Lagoon area say they are being forced to vacay the private property they have been occupying. The residents claim that a week ago they were informed that the owner of a three-acre plot of land, which they call home, would have commenced clearing the land. They say they are now being forced out of their homes and asking for government assistance. Ruben Cano, a resident of the area, claims they have been living there for over two decades and say they will not be removed.

Ruben Cano, Resident, Krooman Lagoon: “Well now they come with a different that they’re going to bulldoze our houses down and I want to know and I want the nation to know we want Mr. Johnny to get into this please give us as help Johnny. We have been living here, we have been suffering here but it is time so please do something. We live in these communities. Well now  I am the chairman of Krooman Lagoon but it looks like it’s advantageous because they have and we don’t have but we have been living here for the past, well I and some almost twenty three years.”

Reporter: Mr.Cano I have to ask this because you know this is going to be asked by the residents. Is this community’s population a large number of migrants ? 

Ruben Cano, Resident, Krooman Lagoon: “Well no. You see people think these people are migrants but they are not.”

Reporter: Are some of them migrants ? 

Ruben Cano, Resident, Krooman Lagoon: “No. We don’t every jack one here is Belizean. I have the sheet. I’m not gonna put anyone on my community list and you’re not Belizean. Every jack one here is Belizeans although they’re Hispanics but it looks like it’s a discrimination that’s what we’re going on here.”

Love News spoke to a representative of the property owner who stated that they have no intentions of breaking down the homes on the property but are seeking legal action to have the person removed through the courts and proper authorities. Notably, Area Representative, Patrick Faber, has previously stated that he made several attempts to relocate persons in the area but they had refused to be relocated.