“Secret Allocation Revealed: Mayan Train’s Lavish Event Shelters”

The Federal Government has allocated funds to Soluciones Integrales Argal, a company tasked with preparing event shelters for President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's inspection tours of the Mayan Train mega-project. The company provides comprehensive services such as lighting, audio, and marquees.

Maya Train Fonatur and Majority State-Owned Company Maya Train S.A. de C.V. have paid Soluciones Integrales Argal a total of 226 million pesos in three separate contracts. These contracts span from 2022 to September 30, 2024.

The funds were disbursed in three parts. The first contract, worth 58 million pesos, was valid from April 1, 2022, to December 31, 2022. The second contract, which cost 116 million pesos, ran from January 6, 2023, to December 31, 2023. The final contract, worth 52 million pesos, was valid from January 12 to September 30 of this year, coinciding with the end of López Obrador's presidential term.

The contracts detail that the services provided are for presidential tour events in Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo. These events may host between 50 to 500 people. Soluciones Integrales Argal is expected to provide and manage all requested services and adjust to the locations.

The company is required to supply all necessary equipment, including audio and video equipment, electronic and computer equipment, audiovisual media, lighting, and stages. Additional services include marquees, signs, metal barriers, copy machines, fans, air conditioners, power generators, electric extension cords, fridges, awnings, and tents.

For event setup, the company is expected to provide metal barriers, stages, screens, marquees, tents, awnings, and signs. Other necessary items include bathrooms, podiums, fans, air conditioners, fridges, computer equipment, and photocopiers. The company is also responsible for the production, coordination, and logistics of the events, including providing van rentals for airport transfers. Soluciones Integrales Argal must meet all requests from the Presidency of the Republic and Maya Train with at least 24 hours' notice.

The contract stipulates that any issues or deficiencies in the infrastructure, accessories, or catering services must be resolved immediately at no additional cost to Maya Train. The company must also perform preventive maintenance on all equipment to ensure the safety of the events.

Since the construction of the Mayan Train began on June 4, 2020, President López Obrador has conducted more than 30 inspection trips to monitor the project's progress. From 2020 to 2022, the president carried out monthly tours. These tours became biweekly in 2023 and 2024, and their frequency increased in the final months as López Obrador toured different sections of the project with the virtually elected president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo.