And while Jesus Ken was all about land ownership and reform for caneros in the last century - let's just say that 21st century politicians seem not to share those lofty ideals.
We have witnessed many land grabs for friends and family during the last 25 years of PUDP rule.
And Jules Vasquez looked at one case that can raise some eyebrows - because public land was acquired - and two of the lots ended up in the ownership of the Minister's sons:
On the 24th of April, 2023, this notice was given to a landowner Frederick Warrior in Bullet Tree Falls that the government was acquiring his 40 acres of land. The public purpose for the acquisition was village expansion.
The second publication was gazetted in July along with the map of the land making the acquisition complete.
When it was parceled out, there were 51 residential lots and 8 commercial lots - a tidy subdivision for the villagers.
And the land sold cheap - this one for 500 dollars for a 125 x 75 foot lot.
But that's where it gets problematic. The name on the title shows that this one went to a relative of a close political affiliate of the area representative Misho Chebat's - and not a person known to reside in Bullet Tree Falls.
And a closer look at the list of the new landowners - shows multiple occurences of names closely associated with Chebat's political machinery and not known to be village residents.
Even Chebat's attorney and close political associate, attorney Leeroy Banner - known to live in the Belize District - got one.
In fact, even Area Rep Chebat's two sons were selected to be beneficiaries - also for the princely sum of 500 dollars per lot.
So, was the land acquired for a public purpose or for the political purpose of those close to the area rep? Government will have to use public funds to compensate the landowner and that is still being negotiated.
We did try to reach out to Chebat for a comment but he didn't respond to this text message.
UDP Standard Bearer Omar Figueroa says he also observed something about the name of the land recipients:
The government will now have to use public funds to compensate the landowner, and that final price is still being negotiated. We did try to reach out to Shabbat for a comment, but he didn't respond to this text message.
As we noted in the story, Chebat has not responded to our request for a comment.
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