After nearly 13 years of waiting, residents of the Urbi Villas del Rey complex in Cancún have finally been granted an injunction. This legal victory, achieved on Thursday, May 16, ensures their right to suitable housing. The residents' complaint originated from an ongoing issue with wastewater overflow.

The developer, CYD Urban Developments, in collaboration with the Municipality of Benito Juarez, had constructed a treatment plant for only 400 homes, despite the complex housing over five thousand. Furthermore, the developer failed to provide essential services such as potable water and drainage to some homes.

According to Antonella Vazquez, an activist from the organization Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS), local authorities permitted the sale of these homes without ensuring the completion of necessary urbanization works. She stated, "Today we celebrate a verdict where the judge acknowledges the authorities' negligence in supervision and enforcement."

The judge from the Fifth District Court granted the injunction and Protection of the Justice of the Union in favor of the residents' right to adequate housing and a healthy environment. The ruling compels the relevant authorities to enforce a 13 million peso bond, requiring CYD Urban Developments to complete the unfinished works and repair the damage caused by their negligence. This order must be communicated within a maximum of three days.

However, Vazquez expressed some dissatisfaction with the ruling, stating that while they appreciate the swift response to their injunction, they believe the bond amount should be higher. "We are not entirely pleased with the bond. It was issued 12 years ago, and we're unsure if it's still valid today or if it will be enough to complete the works and repairs," she explained.

In response, the residents plan to file a review appeal. They argue that the Municipality of Benito Juarez should have foreseen the difficulties in executing the bond and should be obligated to construct the necessary treatment plant using treasury funds.

Vazquez reiterated, "The bond is almost 13 million, it's in writing, but we don't know if it's valid and at today's value, we don't know if it will be enough." Currently, approximately 20,000 people residing in 4,700 homes within the complex are affected by these issues.