“Secret Construction Threatens Turtle Habitat – Urgent Action Required!”

Unpermitted construction at Playa Paraíso, located in the northern region of Playa del Carmen, is set to be inspected by the Playa del Carmen City Council. The permits for the construction were granted irregularly by a former public official. Jacqueline Alcocer, the eighth councilor of Solidaridad, announced that they have begun the inspection process after learning that a developer had started work, potentially endangering local wildlife.

Alcocer explained, "This permit was issued by the former secretary Rocío Beltrán, who is no longer part of this administration. We are now working with the current director of Urban Development and I have requested information from the Environment department. The secretary, Lourdes Várguez, has already provided me with the necessary information."

The contentious project, known as Playa 35, involves the construction of a 22-meter high building containing 42 apartments. This building is planned for an area that serves as a nesting ground for sea turtles. The development has not received the required environmental impact authorization from the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

Local residents have reported that the construction was previously halted, but resumed after a fine was paid. Brenda de Arrigunaga, president of the Playa Paraíso neighborhood association, asserts that a series of irregularities at local, state, and federal levels have failed to stop the project.

Playa Paraíso is a subdivision located at the far northern end of Playa del Carmen. It is the furthest public beach access point from the center of the Solidaridad county seat.

Alcocer, who is also a member of the Sea Turtle Protection Committee, stated, "These illegal operations are being stopped because many operating licenses were given without justification, and without consideration for the protection of the turtles. I grew up here and I want my children to see the turtles. These works will be suspended."