Mayan Train Approaches Completion Despite Delays, Accidents

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and President-elect Claudia Sheinbaum visited the Mayan Train works to outline their plans for the project's future. However, the project continues to face challenges, including a recent accident during the construction of Section 7 and a definitive suspension order for works on section 5 South.

During their visit to Campeche, López Obrador and Sheinbaum discussed the progress of the Mayan Train, which is nearing completion. “By the end of August, mid-September, we will inaugurate the entire circuit: Cancun, Tulum, Chetumal, Calakmul, Escarcega,” says López Obrador, 

President-elect Sheinbaum has also affirmed her commitment to the Mayan Train’s completion. Sheinbaum says that there will be an expansion of the Mayan Train during her term, and  that Governor-elect of Yucatan Joaquín Díaz has a vision called the "Mayan Renaissance" project. This initiative aims to connect the Mayan Train with Puerto Progreso, enhancing its functionality, as previously reported by MBN. The Mayan Train will also connect with the FA Line of the Interoceanic Corridor of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec (CIIT) , which includes rehabilitating 308km of tracks from Coatzacoalcos to Palenque, facilitating both cargo and passenger transport.

On June 10, López Obrador proposed an extension from Chetumal to Belize and then to Flores, Guatemala, spanning about 500 kilometers. He highlights that this action would bring significant employment opportunities, potentially providing work for about 100,000 people.

Despite advances, the Mayan Train continues to face setbacks. On June 18, media reports indicated that intense rains in Quintana Roo caused an accident in section 7, from Chetumal to Escarcega. Governor of Quintana Roo María Lezama argues that the incident was caused by a vehicle colliding with a construction base rather than soil instability due to weather conditions.

Moreover, Judge Adrián Novelo, of the First District Court in Merida, Yucatan, issued a definitive suspension for works on section 5 South. This suspension remains in place pending the resolution of an amparo filed the previous year. The civil association Defending the Right for a Healthy Environment (DMAS) announced the judge's decision following a report by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (PROFEPA), which confirmed cement spills in several caves where piles were installed.

According to La Jornada, PROFEPA's report indicated that subcontracted companies for this section did not adhere to environmental guidelines set by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), leading to ecosystem damage. The piles show signs of oxidation, potentially affecting the water in these natural formations. The judicial resolution emphasized the need to protect the environment from ongoing prohibited actions and irreparable ecological damage.

Activist Guillermo D’Christy reported on June 22 that filling of piles with stony material continued in section 5 South, noting a strong chemical odor. On June 30, he shared videos showing diesel and concrete spills affecting over 122 caves and cenotes in the Aktun T’uyul system.

Additionally, the Mexican Civil Council for Sustainable Silviculture reports that according to data generated from the analysis of satellite images from January 2024 through the Forest Cover Change Information System in the Yucatan Peninsula (SICAMAFOR), the Federal Government destroyed 6,018.5ha of jungle in the construction of sections 5, 6, and 7 of the Mayan Train.

Alicia Bárcena, appointed by Sheinbaum to lead SEMARNAT, has committed to evaluating the Mayan Train’s environmental impact. MBN previously reported that Bárcena wanted to engage with environmental groups critical of the project. "I want to gather them, listen to their concerns, and conduct a thorough assessment of the Mayan Train's impacts," she says. Bárcena remains optimistic about restoring affected natural and archaeological areas. Collaborating with outgoing SEMARNAT head María Luisa Albores, Bárcena plans to review past environmental impact assessments and promote a balanced approach to harmonize economic development with environmental conservation.