CONADE under fire for polluting Playa del Carmen beaches

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — The National Commission for Physical Culture and Sports (CONADE) has been accused of authorizing the installation of geotubes—polluting structures—along the coastline of Playa del Carmen for a beach volleyball tournament, exacerbating erosion in an already vulnerable area. The director of the local Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (ZOFEMAT) has placed responsibility on CONADE and the private company contracted for the event.

Federal Agency and Private Company Blamed for Environmental Violations

A private company linked to CONADE, ProEventos Producciones Deportivas, was tasked with installing the geotubes to create a beach volleyball court for the World Beach Volleyball Tour held from March 26 to 30. The structures were placed without the required environmental permits, violating federal regulations.

Irving Lili Madrigal, director of ZOFEMAT in Playa del Carmen, stated, "This is a federal matter," distancing the municipal government from responsibility. He emphasized that the organizing company and CONADE, led by Yucatecan Rommel Pacheco, were accountable for the unauthorized installation.

The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA) later shut down 14 geotube structures on April 3, four days after the tournament concluded. Environmentalists had previously raised alarms about the ecological damage caused by the structures, which alter coastal dynamics by preventing natural sediment flow.

Lack of Environmental Assessments and Delayed Enforcement

Under Mexico’s General Law of Ecological Balance and Environmental Protection, projects affecting coastal ecosystems require an Environmental Impact Assessment (MIA) and approval from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), a process that typically takes at least 60 days. No such authorization was obtained for the geotubes.

PROFEPA has not yet disclosed the fines or penalties to be imposed on the responsible parties.

Tournament Promoted by Government Officials

The event was promoted in February by CONADE head Rommel Pacheco, Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa, and Yucatán Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena. The tournament featured 24 international teams and was heavily marketed by state and municipal authorities.

ProEventos Producciones Deportivas, founded in Guadalajara with Enrique Aranda as a partner, also organizes the Diving World Cup. Despite the lack of permits, the tournament proceeded without interruption.

Environmentalists Condemn Damage and Lack of Accountability

Guadalupe de la Rosa Villalba, founder of the environmental group Moce Yax Cuxtal, criticized the negligence, stating, "Improvisation is what harms the coast the most. Now, who will pay for this? The company that promoted it can ignore environmental laws and cause this kind of damage."

Environmentalists argue that geotubes provide short-term beach restoration for specific areas while worsening erosion elsewhere. Moce Yax Cuxtal has campaigned for a comprehensive coastal recovery plan, as several hotels have secured permits for beach replenishment that only benefit their privately leased fronts.

Though the geotubes have been removed, no official report has been released on the ecological impact. The delayed enforcement by PROFEPA has drawn criticism from activists who say such violations continue unchecked.