The uncertain legal status of the settlers was resolved, at least from the European legal perspective, by the *Treaty of Paris in the year of 1763. In Article 17 of the Treaty of Paris*, Spain granted British subjects the right to cutting, loading, and carrying away logwood, along with the right to build houses necessary for them in the Bay of Honduras. Spain retained its claim to sovereignty over the area, but the validity of these claims did not include the legal rights to land. 

 In the southern districts of Belize, Pueblo Viejo is considered to one of the oldest settlements in the area. oIn the year 1840 the settlement began near the western border of neighboring Guatemala, approximateley two and one half miles to the east. Later on the community began to expand and grow rapidly in population and it now has houses for about one hundred seventy five families.   

This settlement served as the defacto immigration service for people coming over to Belize, most of them Kekchi Maya who came in groups to find their roots here in Belize from neighboring Guatemala.o At present Pueblo Viejo has gone through many changes; development is taking place very quickly. Services for health has been placed within the community **centre**, as has a school, a police station, a community telephone, and water pumps. All-weather roads are also in place.   

Transportation of crops is done by people who own bus services, and other small vehicles used to go to and from the nearest town of Punta Gorda. Many Maya students travel by schoolbus on a daily basis to educational institutions at Punta Gorda town.   

The Toledo Maya Cultural Council is a representative body for the cooperation between the Mayas of the Toledo District. The Council was set up to safeguard and promote the economic, social and educational interests of the Mayas. The Council also endeavors to support and strengthen unity and mutual understanding among the Mayas and to publicize the situation and the aims of the Mayas. The Council seeks Recognition of the special position of the Mayas and measures to ensure that they may continue to live in their territory, which they have inhabited for many years. The Council aims to coordinate actions by the Mayas of Toledo in the solution of common problems.