Mexico shuts Marsella IV over hidden caves, endangered species

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — The Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has issued a second closure order against the Marsella IV residential development in Playa del Carmen following complaints from environmental activists regarding potential harm to the local ecosystem.

Second Closure Following Expanded Complaint

On Thursday, a team of inspectors placed a new closure seal on the construction site. The action came after environmental group Cenotes Urbanos filed an expanded complaint, alleging that developers failed to disclose the existence of additional caves housing endemic wildlife within the project area.

Raúl Aldama Gavilán, a lawyer representing Cenotes Urbanos, stated that the initial closure only addressed a single street within the development. However, further documentation by activists revealed unrecorded species, including two protected under Mexico’s NOM-059 endangered species list: the "dama blanca" (white lady) and the "anguila ciega" (blind eel).

"After the initial complaint, Profepa issued a closure, but it was limited to one section of the site," Aldama Gavilán explained. "We expanded the complaint because members of our collective documented wildlife not mentioned in the Environmental Impact Assessment. This includes species protected by federal law."

Location and Ongoing Violations

The Marsella IV project is situated near the entrance to the local landfill, adjacent to the Maya Train route and close to a university district. Activists from Cenotes Urbanos—some of whom are also affiliated with the group Sélvame del Tren—first reported illegal land clearing to Profepa in June. Inspectors conducted an inventory and imposed an initial closure that month.

Despite the earlier shutdown, developers reportedly resumed work, prompting activists to alert authorities. The expanded complaint led to Thursday’s enforcement action.

Undocumented Caves Raise Concerns

Aldama Gavilán emphasized that the project’s environmental assessment only acknowledged six caves, while activists have mapped over 15 in the area. Of particular concern is an underwater cave system known as Lasca, which begins in a neighboring property and extends into the development zone.

"The developers reported six caves, but our collective has identified more than 15. There’s also an underwater cavern, Lasca, that starts outside the project area and flows into it. This is a major concern for cave explorers," he added.

Activists remain on high alert, as developers previously ignored the initial closure. Police intervention was required in June to halt further deforestation.

The case underscores ongoing tensions between rapid urban development and environmental conservation efforts in Quintana Roo’s ecologically sensitive regions.