Mayan Train Section 5 Inaugurated Amid Concerns, Court Decision

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador and Óscar Lozano, General Director, Mayan Train, celebrated the inauguration of the Mayan Train’s Section 5, which connects Cancun and Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo. This project aims to enhance tourism in the region and improve the mobility for the local population. Despite its goals, the project has generated several environmental and safety concerns, prompting a Yucatan tribunal judge to suspend construction activities on Section 5 South, which was omitted from the inauguration.

During the event, President López Obrador stated that the Mayan Train would improve mobility in southeastern Mexico. This stretch is set to provide 10 services during the pre-opening stage, including special services to serve the local population and the regional workforce. 

Tickets will be available at different prices to meet various needs and budgets. Economy class tickets and special tickets for seniors, people with disabilities, and students will cost US$4.62, while locals can purchase tickets for US$5.79. National tourists can choose between economy class or premier, priced at US$8.65 and US$13.80, respectively. International visitors will pay US$18.50.

Authorities also deployed an EV network to transport visitors to train stations from Cancun International Airport, bus terminals, and tourist sites.

Section 5 north comprises 45.6km of double electrified track. Of these, SEDENA is responsible for the management of 43.3km, while ICA companies manage the remaining 2.3km.

Suspension at Section 5 South 

MBN had previously reported that a Yucatan tribunal judge ordered the halt of construction activities on Section 5 South of the Mayan Train. The judicial resolution, given on Jan. 22, aims to grant a definitive suspension of Mayan Train works in Section 5 South until FONATUR can demonstrate to the District Court of Yucatan that stipulated geological, geophysical, and geohydrological studies, outlined in conditions nine and 10 of the environmental authorization, have been conducted.

Despite the court order, construction activities continued. In response, the Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA) expressed concerns on its X account, stating that Section 5 of the Mayan Train did not comply with current environmental regulations regarding authorizations for the project. CEMDA argues that the route was modified without prior Environmental Impact Authorization (EIA), which is necessary for assessing and mitigating environmental impact. Additionally, the Change of Land Use in Forest Areas was not approved, which is a prerequisite for clearing the jungle to make way for the train tracks. The permits for the project were granted by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) after the works had already been carried out, contrary to the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Protection of the Environment (LGEEPA). CEMDA reported that as of August 2023, 73.9% of the 6,658.98 deforested hectares lacked SEMARNAT’s authorization. 

The legal proceedings related to these allegations have faced delays, leading to a complaint filed with the Federal Judicial Council. CEMDA urges authorities and the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) to address, analyze, supervise, and penalize the environmental law violations committed by the Mayan Train project.

In response to environmentalists' concerns, President López Obrador stated during a morning press conference that they take special measures, covering columns to prevent damage, conducting studies to avoid subsurface impact, and exercising extreme caution. He criticized environmentalists, accusing them of exploiting nature defense as a business and engaging in extortion. He argued that the project has the support of the local communities.

Environmental Impact and Safety Concerns: Activists Respond

Environmental activist Guillermo D'Christy tells MBN that the president’s response lacked substantive arguments and resorted to disqualification and false narratives. D'Christy says that discussions about environmental impacts and the risks of penetrating the jungle have been consistently downplayed over the past two years, revealing a disregard for the environment, human rights, and legality.

D'Christy argues that a significant ecocide has been documented, especially in Section 5 South. He highlights persistent illegality supported by favorable court rulings, leading to frequent changes in the segment due to unexpected discoveries, such as caves. He pointed to construction quality issues, including pile collapses and concrete entering the aquifer. 

In the Mayan Train’s in Section 6, drilling and placing piles directly on the lagoon system could significantly affect the water flow, says D'Christy. This could lead to negative consequences for Bacalar, Quintana Roo, and the entire network of lagoons and rivers dependent on these waters. D'Christy says that the real consequences will only be known when it is too late to address them. He underscores the urgency of addressing the project’s environmental impact and the importance of carefully considering the preservation of these ecosystems before undertaking infrastructure projects.

The activist stressed the need for transparency and political will to address these problems, urging officials to visit the site. He calls for construction practices that prioritize environmental preservation and a commitment to the well-being of local ecosystems.

Mayan Train Labor Concerns

Meanwhile, the civil association Cohesion Comunitaria e Innovación Social (CCIS) is investigating the deaths of 48 construction workers, who allegedly died due to work-related issues in the construction of the Mayan Train between Dec. 1, 2018, and Feb. 27, 2024. These deaths allegedly took place during work hours or on their way to or from work.

In addition to these incidents, one worker was reported to be brain dead and 31 to be injured, says the association. There are also records of two additional deaths of individuals not working on the Mayan Train but who died due to the activities of workers involved in the project. There is at least one case of a worker's death due to a work-related incident in each of the seven segments of the Mayan Train, alleges CCIS. These deaths took place in all the states where the Mayan Train is being constructed, argues CCIS.