Villa Altagracia. – Producers, community members, and representatives of agroforestry projects denounced that a man identified as Elvin Piña is allegedly claiming ownership of land in Villa
Altagracia, which has generated an alleged campaign of threats and misinformation that affects families and the community in general.
The complainants claimed that the lands were acquired more than 25 years ago by businessman Juan Reyes Quiñones, who then sold them to the current senator of El Seibo province, Santiago Zorrilla. According to their explanation, the lands have been used for more than two decades by the Vivero Agroforestal Loma Grande, where species such as African mahogany, acacia, and Caribbean pine have been reforested. The forestry projects have supplied wood to the community and have also been used in biomass initiatives for renewable energy.
Documents and Usage History
Quiñones explained that the purchases of the plots, about 11 in total, were made between 1999 and 2002, backed by notarial acts of the lawyers Glennie Thompson and Gloria Corporán, both recognized notaries of Villa Altagracia.
"No one has ever been deprived of a meter of land. Here are the sellers who can attest to it. There is a smear campaign and even death threats against the senator, which are unfounded," Quiñones maintained, while defending the legality of the property and the continuity of the agroforestry projects.
Community Version
Ramona Martínez, director of an educational center in the area, recalled that since 2010 she managed with Senator Zorrilla the donation of part of a plot of land in front of the school, which was then planted with acacia.
"The only person I know as the owner of that land in 16 years is the senator. I have a provisional title delivered by the IAD and the definitive one has already come out. That now someone says that those lands are theirs is false," said Martinez.
The director also highlighted the community's historical coexistence with the forestry project and the availability of timber resources for local needs.
They point to alleged claimant
Forest engineer Rafael Guzmán Sánchez reported that Piña has been coming to the area for more than a year, claiming rights to the land without possessing titles or having had prior occupation.
"He has never had possession. First, he came saying he was a nephew of a community member and then he appeared with a made-up map. What he does is threaten the families," said Guzman.
Sánchez called on the Public Ministry, the National Police, and the Dominican Agrarian Institute to intervene and prevent possible confrontations or regrettable consequences.
On their side, representatives of the agroforestry project and community leaders requested the mediation of the central government and agricultural authorities to stop what they called a campaign of defamation and threats against Senator Zorrilla and the families who have lived and worked on these lands for more than 20 years.
The case highlights the fragility of legal security in land ownership and how old disputes and recent claims can generate social and political conflicts in rural communities, even when there is documentation and evidence of legal purchase.
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