Dominican Farmers March on Palace to Protect Land Rights

Land Dispute in Hato Mayor: Dominican Farmers Protest Potential Land Grab Farmers in El Valle, Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic, are protesting the potential loss of their land. They claim to possess legal titles but fear the government intends to seize their properties. This concern is heightened by the proposed merger of the Instituto Agrario Dominicano (IAD) with the Ministry of Agriculture. A planned march to the National Palace on June 20th underscores the urgency of their situation. José Aquino Javier, a leader of the protesting parceleros, stated, "We are calling on the senator, the governor, the deputies, and all those who can help to address this situation. We are in danger because of the people from the IAD and the national authorities who want to take the land from the poor." The parceleros are demanding the definitive transfer of land titles as established in decrees 401-04 and 353-05. They argue that this land grab threatens food security and the livelihood of hundreds of farming families in the eastern region. One farmer, speaking anonymously, emphasized the hardship involved: "Imagine planting cacao, coconut, or citrus trees. It takes a lot of work, water, and sun. We've put in years of labor, only to have it threatened." The protest highlights a broader struggle for land rights and fair agricultural policies in the Dominican Republic. The farmers' determination to protect their land and livelihoods makes this a compelling story with potential for national attention.