Deadline Looms for Profepa: Maiim Project Suspended?

The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has been given a 48-hour deadline to demonstrate that construction of the Maiim project in Soliman Bay, Tulum has been halted and that developers have initiated restoration efforts. The Fifth District Court issued this definitive suspension last Monday in response to a request from the association "Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment" (DMAS). Despite this, the project continues to progress and is reportedly 70% complete, according to Antonella Vázquez, a representative of DMAS.

The court issued the definitive suspension this week. Profepa had previously claimed to the court that they had inspected the site and issued a fine of 600,000 for noncompliance, with plans to file a criminal complaint. The judge responded by challenging Profepa to prove within 48 hours that they were indeed halting the work and starting habitat restoration.

The lawyer clarified that this deadline will commence once Profepa receives the resolution from the Fifth District Court based in Cancun. At that point, all work should cease. DMAS has been documenting the project since November 2023, noting that the Adamar development, consisting of 24 condominiums, was built without any permits. Profepa's inspections confirmed significant ecosystem damage, and they were given a deadline to process the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and issued a fine.

However, compliance has not been achieved. DMAS members discovered that another investment society, belonging to the same group and operating from the same address and sales platform, had begun the Maiim development in the same area. This project comprises 30 apartments in 10 towers. DMAS sought protection when they discovered this. Both projects were denied the environmental permits they had applied for through their respective EIS's by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in October.