The indigenous communities have claimed they have suffered constant threats since July 1st, when Bribri’s Attorney General in Talamanca, ordered the eviction of nearly ten indigenous families as a result of a complaint filed by Italian businessman Idolo Mastroeni, who claims property over 50 hectares of indigenous territory.

At the time the Bribri families of Kekoldi community were violently evicted by the riot police and by the judiciary. Most of the adults were arrested and the children were aimed at with guns in their own houses by Mastroeni’s security guards. A precautionary measure issued by Bribri’s attorney’s office later forbade the indigenous families to return to their houses and to take care of their harvest.

On August 29, the Attorney General acknowledged in a Bribri court that the disputed lands are
part of indigenous territory, and they cannot be expropriated. However, the families of the bribri
community of Kekoldi continue being intimidated by the private guards of Giovani Badilla and
others linked with Mastroeni.

The indigenous claim that the threats of retaliation and new evictions received in the past two
months have increased. They hear gun fire at night near their homes as well as racial slurs. Several members of the community have reported assaults to the state authorities in several occasions, but their claims have been so far ignored.

A member of the Kekoldi indigenous community, Norma Luz Segura, told Real World Radio that
the Bribri attorney general ignores their claims. She also said that the community is concerned since they know the authorities fail to do enough to protect them.

* This article is a joint production of Zuiri Mendez, member of Kioscos Ambientales of the
University of Costa Rica and Henry Picado, member of COECOCEIBA – Friends of the Earth
Costa Rica.

Photo: COECOCEIBA – Friends of the Earth Costa Rica.