Indigenous protesters end occupation of Honduran Mayan ruins

The Associated Press    Translate This Article
15 September 2005

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras (AP) - About 1,500 Chorti Indians ended their occupation of the Copan ruins after the government promised funds for land purchases, Agrarian Reform Minister Henry Acosta said Thursday.

The protesters took over the tourist site on Saturday to demand the government fulfill a promise of lands.

Acosta said they agreed to end the protest late Wednesday after the government agreed to make payments of US$487,000 (euro398,000).

'We hope the government fully complies with its promises because otherwise our people will carry out new occupations of tourist areas in the country,' said Marcelina Interiano, spokeswoman of the National Indian Council.

The government so far has only partially met a 1997 promise to give the Chortis 14,000 hectares (54 square miles) of land.

About 40 hotels, 20 restaurants and 40 handicrafts shops serve tourists at Copan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site some 200 kilometers (120 miles) west of the capital.

Copan flourished for hundreds of years until it was abandoned in about the 10th century. The Chortis, who number about 500,000, are believed to be descendants of the ancient Maya.

Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



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