Landowners Block Mérida Shortcut, Demand Compensation

Landowners in Dziuché have taken action to block the popular shortcut to Mérida. The move comes as part of their demand for compensation following the expropriation of their right of way during a road modernization project in 2010. As per a community assembly decision, the landowners began blocking the connecting roads between José María Morelos and Mérida, Sabán, and Chetumal from 14:00 hours.

In 2010, the Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT) expropriated 16 hectares of land from Dziuché for the road upgrade leading to Mérida. In 2022, the Unitary Agrarian Court No. 44 ruled that the now Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) must conclude the expropriation by paying seven million 689 thousand pesos to the 375 landowners. However, nearly two years after the ruling, the compensation has not been finalized.

During the recent assembly, the landowners agreed to block access to Mérida, Chetumal, and Sabán. Members of the Agrarian Commission and the Surveillance Council did not participate in the action. The blockade was led by the representative of the Advisory Council Committee of Dziuché, Andrés Baez Campos, who stated that only sick people and authorities would be allowed passage.

The landowners are demanding the presence of representatives from the SICT and the State Government, stating they will not lift the blockade until the compensation issue is resolved. The municipal president of José María Morelos, Erick Borges Yam, visited the site, but his proposal for a dialogue table was rejected by the landowners.

Government Secretary, Cristina Torres Gómez, managed to convince the disgruntled landowners to attend a meeting at the TUA the following day at 11:00 hours to discuss the case. The municipality of José María Morelos has agreed to cover the transportation and food expenses for the landowners' commission. The blockade was lifted after 18:30 hours.