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A second major problem was that the ejido was divided into two main sociopolitical groups. 

 As a result, many problems that needed cooperation by all in the village were not resolved. Initially 

 the division was between two groups of families. One faction was composed of members of a single, 

 extended family that had become somewhat more politically and economically powerful than others in 

 the village. The other faction was composed of families that wanted to obtain that power. Jealousy 

 and animosity often prevented these groups from cooperating in community affairs. The matter was 

 further complicated by competing interests in the villages of Uh-May and Chancah Veracruz. 



The conflicts between groups and villages has led to difficulties when it was time to elect 

 village officials, decide on timber harvests, and make work assignments. Usually matters were decided 

 by a vote of ejidatarios and little thought was given to compromise or being fair. The minority group 

 always lost and their resentment was apparent as projects were duplicated, poorly completed, or left 

 undone out of spite for those in charge. For example, the village had two bus lines that simultaneously 

 covered the same route. Likewise, X-Hazil Sur had an unfinished village hall, unchlorinated drinking 

 water, and volleyball and basketball courts that lacked lights because residents of one village did not 

 want to pay for recreational activities in another village. In addition, village officials often received 

 complaints from individuals but were unable to organize an effective committee to complain to 

 municipal officials about village problems, for example, incompetent teachers and frequent closings of 

 the local schools. These problems likely will continue until residents learn how to work together in a 

 more cooperative manner. 



The picture was not completely bleak, however, as many positive activities also occurred. For 

 example, the village had a baseball team that competed with several other villages and towns. The 

 players had uniforms and provided great entertainment on Sunday afternoons. Village residents also 

 managed to host several dances with live bands during the past few years with the profits going for 

 specific village projects. Further, village officials successfully negotiated the placement of a small 

 lumber mill outside the village in order to process locally harvested timber. In this manner, village 

 residents will obtain greater profits from the trees they harvest. Village officials also initiated a 



