Court dismisses Calica’s case against AMLO – setback for Vulcan Materials Co.

The Federal Administrative Justice Tribunal's Specialized Court in Environmental and Regulatory Matters has dismissed a case brought by Calicas Industriales del Carmen (Calica) against former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. This legal development represents a setback for the subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company.

Calica's lawsuit aimed to block the declaration of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Protected Natural Area, which encompasses their land in the continental zone of Cozumel and the municipality of Solidaridad. However, the Tribunal dismissed the case on November 5, 2024, stating that the lawsuit was inadmissible as it did not fall within the Tribunal's jurisdiction.

The Tribunal clarified that it only has jurisdiction to resolve conflicts between individuals and the federal public administration. In this case, the President of the Republic, as the head of the Executive Power, is not considered part of the public administration.

The resolution was officially announced on January 10, 2025, which confirmed that Calica's attempt to stop the declaration of the protected natural area had no legal standing. This decision is one of many in the ongoing legal battle between the company and the federal government, including various amparo trials, as Calica seeks to protect its interests in the region.

However, the Tribunal's ruling reinforces the Executive's authority to declare protected natural areas in the country. The declaration of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto area is part of a conservation strategy initiated during López Obrador's term, with the goal of protecting key ecosystems in the Riviera Maya.

In the meantime, Calica continues to face legal and operational challenges concerning its properties in Quintana Roo.