San Felipe Mangroves Destroyed in Illegal Land Clearing

San Felipe, Yucatán — Federal and state authorities conducted an operation today in this coastal municipality—the second in just 11 months—located in eastern Yucatán, where they detected logging, land clearing, and irregular human settlements across more than 20 hectares of mangroves. These areas are designated as protected habitats within the state’s ecosystems.

The operation involved personnel from the State Public Security Secretariat (SSP), the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), the National Guard, and the Navy. It was launched in response to multiple investigation files opened for environmental damage.

Mayor Linked to Environmental Crimes

As part of the investigation, San Felipe Mayor Felipe Marrufo, a member of the PRI party, is reportedly connected to the case. Authorities allege he has been tied to potential environmental crimes in the area on three separate occasions.

Federal and state officials found unauthorized logging, land clearing, and illegal human settlements in the affected mangrove zones. These activities violated environmental regulations, according to preliminary reports from federal agencies.

Mayor Marrufo is accused of authorizing irregular construction projects in areas where protected vegetation was filled in or removed. Profepa warned that investigations will continue, and stricter penalties may be imposed as legal proceedings advance.

Previous Operation in August 2024

This is not the first time authorities have intervened in San Felipe’s protected areas. In August 2024, shortly after Mayor Felipe Ramírez took office, Profepa shut down zones where wetlands had been filled and mangroves cleared within a protected area. The agency announced legal action against the San Felipe municipal government, marking the second time Mayor Marrufo was linked to such irregularities.

The 2024 operation, conducted in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve with support from the National Guard, Navy, and National Defense Secretariat (Sedena), resulted in the closure of 18.4 hectares. Six administrative procedures were initiated for illegal land-use changes.

Official reports from last year confirmed that wetlands had been filled with construction materials, protected mangrove vegetation had been destroyed, and irregular human settlements had been established in protected natural areas. These findings prompted multiple administrative actions against the San Felipe municipal government.

First Alleged Violation in 2019

Federal authorities first accused the San Felipe municipal government of mangrove destruction in 2019, when current Mayor Felipe Antonio Marrufo López served as municipal trustee. This was the first time he was linked to alleged environmental crimes.

Profepa noted that the affected mangroves grow in an area home to threatened palm species, including the Kuká and Nakás palms, which are protected under Mexican law.

Ecological Importance of Ría Lagartos

The Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve, located in San Felipe, is a coastal lagoon where freshwater and saltwater mix. Designated as a Protected Natural Area, it serves as a critical habitat for hundreds of species, including nesting grounds for hawksbill and white turtles. Mangroves in the region act as natural barriers against hurricanes and support rich biodiversity.