Alicia Bárcena’s Empty Pledges for Quintana Roo’s Environment

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Alicia Bárcena, head of Mexico’s Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), visited Quintana Roo to address pressing environmental crises, but critics argue her proposals amount to little more than empty gestures. The visit, framed as an effort to mitigate irreversible ecological damage, focused on issues such as sargassum influx, the Tren Maya project, and the controversial fourth pier in Cozumel—all of which have already caused significant harm.

Sargassum Crisis: A Record Toxic Season with No Immediate Solutions

Bárcena acknowledged that over 80,000 tons of sargassum have washed ashore in Quintana Roo this year, marking one of the worst seasons on record. Despite the severity, her proposed solutions—such as circular economy parks and bricks made from sargassum—fail to address the immediate collapse of beaches, reefs, and ecosystems.

The economic toll is undeniable, yet Bárcena’s plan to "harvest sargassum at sea" echoes a decade-old proposal with no concrete budget, timeline, or technical details. No emergency measures were announced to assist turtles trapped in seaweed or overwhelmed hoteliers.

Tren Maya: A Reserve Proposed After Irreversible Damage

In diplomatic tones, Bárcena admitted the Tren Maya has left "wounds" in the jungle, pledging reforestation with native plants and collaboration with local gum harvesters. However, she avoided committing to halting construction or holding anyone accountable for the destruction of cenotes and underground caves.

Her belated proposal to create a Gran Acuífero Maya Biosphere Reserve was dismissed as inadequate, given that large sections of the megaproject were drilled without proper mapping or environmental studies. Critics argue that restoration efforts cannot compensate for ongoing devastation.

Fourth Pier in Cozumel: Semarnat’s Reversal After Approval

The fourth pier in Cozumel exemplifies the government’s contradictory stance. Semarnat now admits the project’s Environmental Impact Statement was incomplete, with omissions and possible falsified data. Yet, federal authorities approved it in 2021 and 2022 without scrutiny.

Only after public protests, petitions, and mounting evidence did Bárcena announce a review. Skeptics question whether the reversal is politically motivated rather than a genuine environmental safeguard.

Calica: Geographic Errors and Delayed Accountability

Bárcena further undermined her credibility by misidentifying Calica’s location, erroneously placing it in Felipe Carrillo Puerto instead of Playa del Carmen (Cozumel municipality). Semarnat claims a Management Plan is ready for the new Protected Natural Area but admits the land-use designation remains undecided.

Meanwhile, Calica continues operating without fines, restoration, or a clear future plan. Former President López Obrador had previously used Calica and Xcaret to deflect criticism of the Tren Maya’s environmental toll.

A Legacy of Paper Promises

Bárcena’s visit yielded no sanctions, actionable plans, or enforceable measures. Instead, she announced a decree for PODEBIS (Sustainable Development and Biodiversity Promotion Zones), which exists only on paper.

As sargassum overwhelms beaches, the Tren Maya operates without passengers, the fourth pier advances, and the Gran Acuífero Maya Reserve remains postponed, critics argue the government is merely managing disaster with empty promises.