Court Halts Maya Train Project for Environmental Concerns

The Mérida Collegiate Court in Labor and Administrative Matters has issued a definitive suspension on the Maya Train project's segments 5 North, 5 South, and 7. This decision, publicized by environmental group Greenpeace, highlights the need to uphold key environmental principles such as prevention, precaution, and favoring nature when in doubt.

The suspension was sought by indigenous, farming, and coastal communities from Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, along with civil organizations. They raised concerns about the project's failure to meet necessary environmental conditions to protect the right to a healthy environment.

The court ruled that environmental impact authorizations and changes in land use alone are not sufficient. It insisted on the completion of geological, geohydrological, and geophysical studies, and the evaluation of their results by an environmental authority, before the project can continue. This applies to the 5 North and 5 South segments, which extend from Cancún to Tulum. For segment 7, which runs from Escárcega to Chetumal, more than 12 unmet environmental conditions were identified, including flora and fauna rescue programs and contingency mitigation plans.

To date, there's no evidence that these conditions have been addressed. Despite the suspension, communities and activists argue that the ruling is late, given the significant progress already made on the project. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the suspension as a tool for environmental protection. Critics also point out that economic growth and public spending continue to take precedence over environmental conservation.

However, the ruling does set an important precedent: authorizations alone do not guarantee adherence to environmental principles or the protection of human rights. The court remains open to examining potential human rights violations in the main trial, which is still pending.

Communities affected by the project and civil organizations are urging the First District Court in Mérida to prioritize the defense of ecosystems and community rights in its evaluation of the case. They stress the need to ensure that the judgement reflects the environmental and social damage caused by the project.

The Maya Train, envisioned as a key development project for the region, now faces a significant hurdle. Meanwhile, voices from the Yucatan Peninsula continue to advocate for the protection of nature and the right to a sustainable future.