Boca Chica – Hundreds of residents of the El Valiente sector, in the municipal district of La Caleta, protested demanding a definitive solution to the eviction attempts they claim to have been facing for more than five years.
The community leader, Víctor Espinosa, explained that more than three thousand families live on those lands, many with more than 40 years of peaceful occupation, and he called on President Luis Abinader to intervene and declare the area of public utility so that the occupants can legally buy it from the Dominican State.“En El Valiente se han levantado escuelas, calles, un centro del INAIPI, y toda una comunidad que ha crecido de forma organizada. No se puede borrar una historia de más de cuatro décadas con un desalojo”, expresó Espinosa.
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He denounced that supposed owners have emerged with titles that, although they recognize that the right of ownership does not prescribe, consider that it is a social conflict that warrants a political and human response. “Mayor Máximo Brito himself has recognized the reality we are living,” he added.
Espinosa also highlighted that Senator Antonio Taveras has submitted a bill to the National Congress for the land to be declared of public utility, which would pave the way for a legal solution for thousands of families.For his part, Felipe Beriguete, one of those affected, recounted through tears that his home was demolished after 30 years of occupation. “I proposed an agreement to buy it from him, but what he did was fill himself with hatred and kick me out. I built my house working day and night as security,” he said.