Mexico launches a significant segment of the Maya Train initiative

Friday, March 1, 2024

During an event at the Cancún Airport station in Quintana Roo, it was announced by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador that section 5 north of the Maya Train, connecting Cancún to Playa del Carmen, has been officially opened. He mentioned in a morning press conference that the Mexican Government conducted specialized studies on 1,554 kilometers of railway tracks to ensure environmental and historical heritage protection along this route. He highlighted the particular challenges of constructing this 50-kilometer section, noting it as the most problematic due to its necessity to preserve cenotes, underground rivers, and native fauna, leading to the decision to construct a second-floor viaduct extending 90 kilometers.

Ricardo Vallejo Suárez, the general resident engineer and commander of the Felipe Ángeles Group of Engineers, elaborated on the construction of Section 5 north, mentioning it was grounded on comprehensive geological, geophysical, geotechnical, and hydraulic studies, alongside a geoexploration campaign and a coordinated work execution program.

María Luisa Albores González, the Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), discussed the Mexican Government’s efforts to conserve over one million 397 thousand hectares across sections 1 to 5 north of the Maya Train by instituting nine Protected Natural Areas (ANP) and seven Areas Voluntarily Destined for Conservation. She also mentioned ongoing work to develop Management Programs for these new ANPs and for Palenque National Park.

Diego Prieto Hernández, the director of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), stated that INAH has promoted the El Meco archaeological zone through the Program for the Improvement of Archaeological Zones (Promeza), aiming to combine the area’s natural beauty with its Mayan heritage like Tulum.

López Obrador expressed his commitment to defending the interests of the people and highlighted the extensive archaeological findings along the Maya Train route, including real estate and movable assets, ceramic fragments, human burials, and natural features associated with ancient civilizations. He emphasized the crucial support from communities and citizens in overcoming challenges and ensuring the project’s success.

He also criticized the small number of individuals exploiting environmental defense for profit, including some local entities and so-called NGOs financed by international bodies linked to dominant powers, for their corruption and exploitation of environmental advocacy in Cancun.

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