LIMA – More than half a century of waiting and still no documents. The 180 families occupying the Yvype colony, in the Lima district, continue to push for property titles that would allow them to access government housing and development programs. Next Monday, representatives of the local Development and Promotion Commission will meet with the president of the Institute of Rural Development and Land (Indert), Francisco Ruiz Díaz, to address the impasse.
According to Gilberto Colman, president of the commission, the occupation of the area began 56 years ago, when settlers from the municipality of Lima and surrounding areas established themselves to cultivate crops and raise small livestock. Many of these pioneers have already died without obtaining title to their lands. “During all this time, we have worked continuously to obtain the papers that accredit us as owners, but so far very few have managed to finalize the documents,” Colman said.
The lack of land regularization prevents 57 of the 180 families from being included in the construction of houses by the Ministry of Urban Planning, Housing and Habitat (MUVH). Other community projects are also stalled due to the lack of formal registration of the plots. Residents hope that the meeting with Ruiz Díaz will bring a favorable outcome and allow these benefits to be unlocked.
The case illustrates the persistent demand for agrarian reform and regularization of historical occupations in Paraguay, where thousands of rural families still await legal security for their lands.