The sugar strike continues tonight, but the good news is that talks have started
between the leadership of the Sugar Cane Farmers Association and an un-named
mediator.
CEO of the Association Carlos Magana today confirmed that he came to the city
for discussions with that mediator. He made it clear to us though that they
were not looking for a breakthrough and indicated that they are exploring ways
to move forward. Sources say he was accompanied by a group of about five representatives
of the association and the meeting was held at a private conference room in
the city and that it lasted a little over three hours. By all indications, the
strategy is to conduct talks away from media scrutiny and with some distance
from the center of the fury in Orange Walk.
So, there’s no end in sight – but the two sides are talking –
if only through an intermediary at this time. Although we are told the intermediary 
may have a vested interest. Whatever the case, the challenge is to find a way
for the Association and Government to back down from the very firm positions
they have both laid down.
The other development is that the post mortem on Anastascio Gutierrez was conducted
today in Belize City. After that his body was returned to his home in San Victor
village where funeral services are pending; they are expected to be held tomorrow.
The 46 year old Cane Farmer from San Victor Village was shot in the head when
Police used live rounds to try and stop a cane truck that was barreling past
barricades and unto the BSI compound. Police say he was in the back of the truck.
Twelve other civilians were injured that day, five of them by gunshots fired
– it is believed – by police.
And in other notes, BSI issued a lengthy release today expressing sympathy
to Guttierrez’s family. But it went unto say much more and the company
makes it clear that it intends to keep the core sampler because, quote, “the
increasing quantity of poor quality cane will produce losses all around and
could initiate a very rapid closure of the mill....”
According to BSI statistics, so far this season with the core sampler, only
115 of 1,824 farmers have been paid more than two dollars less than what they
regularly would have gotten without it. We could not reach Carlos Magana to
comment on these figures.
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