Ex-INAH Chief Accused of Ignoring Maya Train Ruins Damage

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Activists from the group Sélvame del Tren are calling for an investigation into Diego Prieto, the former director of Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), accusing him of failing to protect archaeological sites along the route of the Maya Train, particularly between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

Allegations of Neglect in Section 5 South

José Urbina Bravo, founder of Sélvame del Tren, stated that the group repeatedly requested Prieto, during his tenure as INAH director, to conduct thorough inspections of Section 5 South of the Maya Train project. According to Urbina Bravo, Prieto never complied.

The organization documented the destruction of 125 cenotes and caves, some of which contained suspected archaeological artifacts submerged in freshwater.

“There were signs of archaeological remains in these areas—evidence of the cultural wealth in this region. We continued investigating and finding more, but beyond what was easily recorded, we don’t know what happened to the artifacts that were officially registered. Legal action must be pursued because many anthropologists and archaeologists have doubts, and Mr. Prieto must answer to the law,” Urbina Bravo said.

Leadership Change at INAH

Diego Prieto resigned as INAH director on July 16 after nine years in the role. He was succeeded by Joel Omar Vázquez Herrera. Prieto had been appointed during the administration of former President Enrique Peña Nieto and retained his position under Andrés Manuel López Obrador and current President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Despite INAH’s headquarters being in Mexico City, Prieto maintained close ties to the Yucatán Peninsula due to its abundance of archaeological sites, including some of the country’s most visited pre-Hispanic ruins.

Clashes with Environmentalists

In recent years, Sélvame del Tren clashed directly with Prieto, accusing him of downplaying the damage to archaeological monuments during the construction of the Maya Train’s Section 5 South, a 60-kilometer stretch between Playa del Carmen and Tulum.

“He only focused on promoting the project, which was not his role,” Urbina Bravo concluded.

The group continues to push for accountability, emphasizing the irreversible impact on the region’s cultural heritage.