Mayan Train/Pending Tax Payments

Mayan Train. Diego Prieto, Director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) reported that more than 26,000 archeological pieces have been recovered from the Mayan Train construction sites. President López Obrador assured that his government is working on the discoveries and rehabilitation of archeological sites in the construction zones. 

Despite INAH’s and López Obrador’s endorsement, Section 5 South of the project is still facing resistance from nearby communities since its construction could damage the karst landscapes and cenotes. The project could also lead to significant deforestation, while risking archeological and paleontological remains. Following the suspension of the project's construction by a federal judge in May 2022, the National Fund for the Promotion of Tourism (FONATUR) and the Ministry of the Environment (SEMARNAT) published the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to continue with the construction of the project.

Agreement with Ricardo Salinas Pliego. President López Obrador reported that his government is seeking to make an agreement with the Mexican billionaire Ricardo Salinas Pliego for pending taxes of Grupo Salinas.

Last week, the Federal Court of Administrative Justice (TFJA) ratified that media outlet TV Azteca, a subsidiary of Grupo Salinas has to pay more than MX$2.6 billion (US$128 million) to the Mexican Revenue Service (SAT) for the concept of income tax (ISR).

Moreover, López Obrador revealed that there is a list of at least 100 pending debtors with pending tax payments of over MX$100 billion (US$5.0 billion).

Américo Villarreal case. President López Obrador said that the Electoral Tribunal of the Judicial Power of the Federation (TEPJF) is taking too long to resolve the case of Tamaulipas elected governor Américo Villarreal. According to the president, this has caused speculations and defamations against the senator. 

Américo Villarreal, MORENA’s elected governor for Tamaulipas was recently accused of using funds from criminal organizations to finance his campaign. After taking a lead of absence from the Senate to carry out other political activities and after being accused of illegal funding, Américo Villareal is returning to the Senate, where he has constitutional protection and can not be criminally prosecuted. Next weekend, the MORENA official will become governor of Tamaulipas which will also protect him from being apprehended.