The situation regarding the relocation of the artisan market in San Pedro, Belize, escalated when a recent injunction was filed to halt the ongoing construction project. The Ministry of Tourism and the Honorable Andre Perez, Area Representative for Belize Rural South, plan to build a new artisan market at El Embarcadero on Nurse Shark Street. This has faced strong opposition from local artisans, fishermen, and residents, who argue that the proposed site is unsuitable and threatens their livelihoods. This injunction was submitted by Severro Guerrero, along with other residents of San Pedro.
Established in 2016, the existing artisan market has become a cultural staple for locals and tourists. However, the Ministry’s proposal to relocate it involves constructing concrete structures in an area currently used by fishermen for docking their boats. This has led to protests from affected groups, who feel their needs have been overlooked. Artisans have expressed concerns that the new location will not accommodate all vendors and will limit tourist access due to its remoteness.
Recent developments included a protest on September 24th, where residents voiced dissatisfaction with the lack of community consultation regarding the project. Despite this pushback, the San Pedro Town Council announced that construction would begin immediately, requiring the removal of personal items and trees in the area. The Council argues that the new market will enhance the artisans’ visibility and positively contribute to tourism. However, the situation intensified with the injunction filed by local artisans and residents, temporarily halting construction activities. They argue that without adequate consultation and consideration of their concerns, the project could damage their businesses and disrupt local heritage. Artisans have highlighted that relocating to a less trafficked area would significantly impact their sales and visibility to tourists.
In response to ongoing protests, some design changes have been proposed, including reducing the scale of structures from two-stories to single-story buildings. However, many residents remain skeptical whether these adjustments sufficiently address their access and concerns.
Attempts were made to contact representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and the Office of the Area Representative for comments regarding the ongoing situation; however, none were available.
As stakeholders continue to advocate for their interests, a full court hearing is scheduled for January 23, 2025. It remains uncertain how this dispute will be resolved and its long-term implications for local artisans and fishermen.
