Environmental Law Flouted in Playa del Carmen Development

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MX. – For Laura Patiño Esquivel, representative of the environmental association “Moce Yax Cuxtal,” developers continue to operate with a dynamic of “asking for forgiveness” before complying with environmental regulations in Playa del Carmen.

In an interview, the environmentalist stated that, despite significant advances in environmental legislation over the past decades, predatory practices remain very present.

She considered that these practices have intensified since the previous administration, when the Executive Power itself “set a bad example” by devastating thousands of hectares to carry out various works, ignoring the impact it would generate on the environment.

Patiño Esquivel said that Moce Yax Cuxtal, in recent years, has repeatedly requested various documentation from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) regarding several developments and works that were approved without proper analysis.

She indicated that many of these projects are detected only when they have caused irreparable damage, as they appear “overnight.”

She highlighted that citizen participation in this arduous task has been crucial to detecting and stopping many of these developments and public works that were initiated irregularly, without considering environmental impact.

She also assured that many authorities often act in complicity, which is why this association has been forced to visit various works, request environmental impact statements from those responsible, and, if warranted, denounce their “modus operandi.”

Finally, the activist took the opportunity to make an extensive call to authorities, investors, and specialists to carry out works that prioritize environmental care.

“We call on authorities, investors, and the colleges of engineers and architects to truly become aware that we are exhausting the ‘goose that lays the golden eggs’,” she concluded.