Mayan Train Contractors Threaten to Halt Inauguration Over Unpaid Debts

Contractors and subcontractors involved in the construction of Section 7 of the Mayan Train project have raised concerns over unpaid debts. They allege that the Ministry of National Defense owes them millions of pesos. The contractors claim that they have been significantly impacted by both fuel theft, which damaged their equipment, and non-payment for their work.

The contractors, including machinery owners and suppliers, state that the military engineers overseeing the construction of Section 7 have not paid them for their recent months of work. As a result, they are threatening to leave their machinery idle in the construction zone, potentially preventing the opening of the final section of the project, which connects Bacalar, Quintana Roo, with Escárcega, Campeche.

Payments had been made regularly until June 2024, when they suddenly stopped, according to one anonymous businessman. He explained that their equipment had completed its work some time ago, and while some trucks are still needed, no one has been paid, whether they are currently operating or have ceased operations.

The situation has left many business owners in a difficult position. Some had transported machinery from the center and north of the country to Quintana Roo and now lack the resources to move it back. They are hoping for payment or assistance in returning their equipment to its original locations.

Lieutenant Colonel Miguel Ángel Guerrero Cruz, one of the military engineers in Section 7, has been identified by machinery owners and transporters as being responsible for the non-processing of payments and not adhering to financial agreements with suppliers.

An anonymous construction supervisor revealed that there are around a thousand machines currently idle on just one front of Section 7, with their owners having received no payment for at least four months.

In response to the situation, material transporters have blocked roads and staged protests demanding that the Army settle its debts. On November 25, they issued a public letter to President Claudia Sheinbaum, requesting her intervention.