Puerta al Mar Project Resumes Amid Sedena Debt Scandal

FELIPE CARRILLO PUERTO, MX — The Puerta al Mar construction project in Felipe Carrillo Puerto has resumed under the management of the Monterrey-based company La Silla, following a three-month suspension of work. Despite the project's continuation, it is burdened by a debt exceeding 100 million pesos that the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) has maintained with contractors and suppliers for 11 months.

The road, totaling 57 kilometers — 22 kilometers of asphalt and 35 kilometers of stone and cement — aims to connect the city to the sea via the old Vigía Chico railway route, which was built in 1905 and used until the mid-last century. Currently, 50 kilometers are already completed, while the remaining seven kilometers show partial progress.

Since its inception, three military commanders have overseen the project, which has yet to be completed. The first was Captain Engineer Baruch Hernández Chavarría, who was relocated to Mexico City following constant complaints from businesses about the lack of payments. According to businessman Ricardo Balderrama of AE Corrosión, Hernández Chavarría even convinced Sedena to advance its own funds to keep the project moving.

Subsequently, Lieutenant Colonel Velasco took over, promising that outstanding debts would be settled upon the restart of work, a commitment that was not fulfilled. The project is now under the direction of Major Apolo Castillo Cetina.

Meanwhile, a conflict with ejidatarios (communal landowners) from Felipe Carrillo Puerto, who claimed possession of land in the city center, caused work to be suspended for three months. The issue was resolved after La Silla paid 1.5 million pesos, distributed among the 250 members of the agrarian community.

The affected companies, including AE Corrosión and Concretos Tancol, have indicated they will turn to legal avenues to demand payment of the debts. The company AE Corrosión has stated it will request a judge to freeze the accounts of La Silla, which also maintains direct debts with several contractors.

In her Government Report, Governor Mara Lezama stated that the Puerta al Mar works would be completed in December. However, business owners warn that without payment of the pending balances, it will be difficult to maintain the work pace.

Major Apolo Castillo has requested that resource management be handled at an institutional level, while Sedena remains silent regarding the debts. Investors have concluded that the future of the project depends not only on physical progress but also on the resolution of the financial battle it has been facing for 11 months.