Landowners Blockade Construction in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Negotiations Underway

Sunday marks the third day of a blockade by local landowners, known as ejido members, on the "Puerta al Mar" project in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. They are demanding that the Ministry of National Defense (Sedena) halt the construction of government buildings on the land where the annual Expomaya event takes place.

Edilberto Chan Beh, the president of the ejido commission, has reported that a negotiation meeting is likely to be arranged for Monday to discuss the issue. He emphasized that they will only engage in talks with federal government representatives, not with the local mayor, Mary Hernandez, who they believe has shown no interest in their concerns.

"The mayor has always been invited to our meetings but has never attended, nor has she sent any representatives. Now she wants to talk, it's shameless,” Chan Beh stated.

The land dispute started on Monday, November 4th, when Sedena began constructing 200 buildings for the Mexican Army on the land traditionally used for the annual Expomaya event.

Chan Beh explained that on Friday morning, the National Guard, Mexican Army, police, and the State's Attorney General's Office secured the disputed land. They posted signs indicating that the property is under investigation for heritage crime.

Attempts by state and municipal officials to initiate dialogue were rejected by the ejido members. "As long as there is no dialogue with the high command of Sedena, we will stay here day and night," Chan Beh emphasized.