The government sent in troops to the Ozama and Rio Haina sugar mills to dislodge opportunists who had taken over small to large portions of land belonging to the State Sugar Council (CEA). Antonio Isa Conde, president of the Commission for the Reform of Public Enterprises (CREP) said that the military and the National Police will dislodge all persons who have invaded the lands, be they persons with ties to the government, military or political leaders. CREP had met with the obstacle of the invaders when trying to finalize the leasing of state sugar mills and lands to private companies as part of the government’s privatization process. The lands are expected to be assigned to the private companies on 9 September, and thus the need to vacate the properties now. The newly appointed director of the CEA appointed new administrators at the Ozama, Boca Chica, Rio Haina, Montellano and Santa Fé sugar mills, where the most land violations had taken place.
