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The Alcaldes of the 38 Mayan Villages in the Toledo District are elected leaders in their communities. But, they also have the authority as magistrates to adjudicate minor disputes between residents of their community. 

The Attorney General's Ministry wants them to be properly equipped to perform that function, and so, they conduct regular training sessions with the alcaldes, who aren't necessarily experts in the law. Today in Punta Gorda, Solicitor General Elisa Montalvo and her team held one such training session with all the alcaldes and deputy alcaldes today in Punta Gorda Town. 7News stopped by to find out a little more about the topics they were discussing.

Here's what the Sol Gen told us:

Elisa Montalvo - Solicitor General
"The alcaldes are governed by the inferior court's act, and so today, what we're doing is hosting training for them to acquaint them with what their roles and responsibilities as alcaldes and deputy alcaldes are because they are each selected for their respective villages that they represent. So, that is the training, to sensitize them of the roles and responsibilities, and to swear them in. It's an official ceremony, as well."

Reporter
"Discuss with us some of the topics that that you all are covering with them today."

Elisa Montalvo
"Well, basically they're roles, the procedure in court, their jurisdiction, thinks like that, so that they know what matters they can actually hear and determine. It's surprising that they are acquainted with a lot of what their roles and responsibilities are. Some of them has been have been in this system for a while. So, their questions are pertinent to their roles and responsibilities. So, today really, while we're seeking to train them further, it's just to answer a lot of their questions, so that they can performing their functions even better."

Juan Cucul - President, Toledo Alcaldes Association
"The training that we're getting is really, really good for us, so that we are more - alcaldes who have been elected by the villagers of very village, they know how to maintain law and order as it is supposed to be. Becoming a leader in your village, you have to really know exactly what to do, how to deal with the people, because people look up to you as a leader. You're supposed to deal with them in a professional manner. Yes, you learn a lot. It's a learning process for us, so that, whenever we carry out our duty in the village, we do it to the best, and that the people are happy."

As part of the session, the Alcaldes were officially sworn into office.