Cozumel Property Owner Accuses Neighbor of Land Grab in Coastal Dispute

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — A property owner on Cozumel has publicly accused a neighbor of illegally seizing land and constructing a large palapa without proper authorization in a dispute over coastal federal zone rights.

The conflict centers on a property at kilometer 6.5 of the old southern highway, next to the Presidente Hotel. According to the complaint, construction work and land modifications have allegedly exceeded the boundaries of a federal maritime-terrestrial zone (Zofemat) concession, encroaching on private property that has been registered since 1984.

The affected resident claims he held a concession for use of the waterfront area in front of his home for approximately a decade. When that permit expired, a third party obtained a new concession and allegedly began working on the adjacent area, resulting in the demolition of a perimeter fence and occupation of land the homeowner says belongs to him.

According to the complainant, workers not only removed existing boundary markers but also filled a previously rocky area with sand-like material, altering the natural terrain conditions. He says he doesn’t know if environmental authorization exists for these modifications and questions the source of the fill material.

On the property, construction is underway on a palapa measuring approximately 193 square meters. The homeowner alleges this structure invades part of his property, is built on old foundations, and exceeds the originally concessioned boundaries.

The complainant says he presented documentation supporting his ownership claims to municipal authorities but received no favorable response and was not allowed to formally include his evidence in the administrative process. No documentation has been made public to either support or refute the accusations.

The controversy escalated after officials announced a possible public event at the location, which the affected resident says could be interpreted as implicit support for the legality of the disputed construction. This development has generated divided opinions among residents following the case.

No detailed official position has clarified the property’s legal status or the scope of the granted concession. The conflict could move to the courts if the parties don’t reach an agreement, raising questions about coastal zone management and property rights protection on the island.