Ex-Tulum Official Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges, Linked to Illegal Coastal Developments

Tulum, Quintana Roo — A former top urban development official in Tulum has been arrested on domestic violence charges, but authorities say his alleged corruption may have enabled illegal coastal construction that threatens sea turtle habitats.

Lorenzo Bernabé Miranda Miranda, who served as director of Sustainable Urban Development for the municipality, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon after his partner accused him of physical and verbal abuse, according to the State Prosecutor’s Office.

However, documents obtained by Sol Quintana Roo show that Miranda Miranda authorized building permits for two major beachfront projects in Bahía Solimán without required federal environmental impact assessments, putting sea turtle nesting grounds at risk.

On June 17, 2022, he signed a permit for Impulsora de Incentivos México to build the Maiim tower south of Bahía Solimán. The project was later shut down by the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) for lacking permits. The city collected 221,319 pesos for that license.

On February 13, 2024, he approved a second permit for 107,789 pesos for the controversial Adamar Solimán building, developed by Tulum Dieciséis. That project was seized by Mexican Navy personnel after the developer resisted closure orders. A federal judge has issued a final demolition order for the building, though appeals are ongoing.

Miranda Miranda was fired from his post amid allegations he accepted bribes — known locally as “moches” — from developers to fast-track permits without federal clearance. Officials suspect he authorized other projects under similar conditions.

For now, Miranda Miranda faces only domestic violence charges, but prosecutors are expected to investigate potential crimes against public administration.