Puerto Morelos Cracks Down on Illegal Real Estate Projects

Two real estate developments in Puerto Morelos have been shut down by local and environmental authorities due to various regulatory violations, mainly the absence of environmental permits. The closures were led by the city's mayor, Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz, along with Óscar Rébora Aguilera, head of the Secretary of the Environment, and Alonso Fernández Lemmen Meyer, the Attorney for Environmental Protection.

"We are addressing and responding to the complaints we receive," stated Mayor Merari. "We fully support the orderly development and growth of Puerto Morelos, provided it complies with the law and all necessary permits." The mayor was joined by municipal secretaries of Environment, Animal Welfare and Sustainable Mobility, Urban Development, the coordinator of Civil Protection, and staff from the Supervision Directorate.

Mayor Merari added, "We will conduct tours to continue with this survey and approve developments that are orderly and regulated. We do not want Puerto Morelos to lose its unique character, especially the care of our jungle and our Cenotes Route."

During the closure of one irregular settlement in a well area, Secretary Óscar Rébora Aguilera emphasized that the visit was in response to a series of complaints. He assured that the Secretary of the Environment is working in collaboration with the Attorney for Environmental Protection to prevent unregulated real estate developments.

Aguilera said, "This is an example of what should not be done. They built in an Environmental Management Unit (UGA), an area where environmental strategies and guidelines are applied, particularly for the protection of water wells. We will not allow further development without an environmental permit."

Alonso Fernández Lemmen Meyer, the Attorney for Environmental Protection, stressed the importance of public complaints in prompting authorities to act. He confirmed that operations like the one conducted will be "constant and permanent" to ensure that developers obtain their environmental permits from the state and the municipality. The operation was supported by elements of the Marina and the Secretary of Citizen Security.