The Venezuelan government granted collective ownership of indigenous lands to the Karinas andYukpas

Caracas, 12 ABN .- The Venezuelan government granted three collectively owned titles of land to the indigenous peoples Yukpa and Karin, located in the Sierra de Perija, Zulia State, in the context of the celebration of Day of Indigenous Resistance.

During the ceremony awarding the ownership of land to indigenous people Yukpa, which took place in the indigenous community of Shirapta, the Minister of People's Power for Interior Relations and Justice, Tarek El Aissami, also said that throughout the activity 2. 262 acts of civil registration, as well as birth certificates and identity cards, were awarded to the original inhabitants of the Sierra de Perija.

He stressed that the handling over of title deeds of land to indigenous peoples is one of the programs led by the government to comprehensive care and recognition of the indigenous’ peoples ancestral rights as well as strengthening this border zone, "that turns its residents into guardians of the fatherland."

He also recalled that on the 12 of October of 2008, President Chávez announced the launching of a master plan for the development and consolidation of the Sierra de Perija, a plan for the Yukpa’s indigenous communities.

He explained that this plan has five strategic objectives aimed at improving the quality of life of these communities to strengthen their productive capacity.

Aissami said that as part of those strategic objectives for the development and consolidation of the original peoples of the Sierra de Perija, a series of works have been put in place, such as: improvement projects, construction of rural roads, educational infrastructure and the strengthening of the public health network.

In the same regard, Mr Aissami said tha, through this plan the security, safeguarding and territorial integrity will be strengthen in the area through the operational capacity of public safety agencies and the Bolivarian National Armed Force (FANBASE).

Also, part of the masterplan for the development and consolidation of the communities of the Sierra de Perija is the creation and redemption of the indigenous socialist modes of production to ensure sustainable development through respect for the customs, traditions and customs of aboriginal peoples.

Similarly, the plan for the development of indigenous communities of the Sierra de Perija as Aroy, Shirapta and Tinacoa, provides the right to secure the identity of native peoples and their ancestral rights over the land as well as technical and financial support from the government for the development of socio-productive projects, which guarantee the comprehensive development of indigenous communities in the Sierra de Perija.