No doubt in the heat of the moment, the reported quote "they are not human beings, they are savages" hasn't helped community relations with the local Mayans.

This is about two serious crimes: a) two missing children and b) arson. But it's in danger of becoming a 'clash of civilizations', which certainly won't be positive for the country.

Mutual sympathy for local traditions and environmental activity seems somehow to have gone awry, which is very sad for all involved, and for the nation as a whole.