INAH Union to File Criminal Complaint Over Alleged Damage to Archaeological Heritage Linked to Maya Train

INAH union members at a press conference discussing the criminal complaint over Maya Train archaeological damage

Mexico City — The National Union of Scientific Research and Teaching Professors of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (SNPICD-INAH) announced it will hold a press conference on Tuesday, July 14, to detail a criminal complaint filed with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) over alleged damage to Mexico’s archaeological and cultural heritage linked to the Maya Train project.

The complaint, filed July 7 in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, calls on federal authorities to investigate actions taken during the Maya Train Archaeological Salvage Project, particularly on sections 6 and 7 of the railway. The union’s Commission for the Protection and Legislation of Archaeological, Historical, and Paleontological Heritage also flagged concerns related to the construction of the so-called “Báalam Tun Memory Park,” a project tied to the railway.

The union alleges that acts during the salvage project may constitute crimes against the nation’s archaeological and historical heritage. Further details are expected at the press conference, scheduled for 11 a.m. at the SNPICD-INAH union hall at Córdoba 45, Colonia Roma, Cuauhtémoc borough, Mexico City.

Federal authorities have not yet issued a public response to the legal action.

The complaint comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the Maya Train by academics, specialists, environmental organizations, and citizen groups, who have raised concerns about the project’s impact on archaeological sites, ecosystems, and cultural heritage in southeastern Mexico.

If the investigation proceeds, the FGR will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to open formal proceedings and assign responsibility for any alleged damage.

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By Javier Mendez

Javier Mendez covers public safety, law enforcement, and legal affairs in Quintana Roo. He monitors official reports from the FGE (State Prosecutor's Office), the Mexican Navy, and municipal police to deliver accurate English summaries of crime, trafficking cases, arrests, and court rulings affecting the Riviera Maya region.Javier has been covering crime and public safety news since 2023, reporting on cases ranging from felony arrests and human trafficking investigations to court proceedings and organized crime-related incidents across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Chetumal. His reporting provides English-speaking residents and travelers with reliable, timely information about safety conditions in Quintana Roo's major tourist destinations.Javier works closely with official government sources and press offices to verify facts before publication, and maintains an archive of law enforcement communications to provide context for ongoing stories. He is dedicated to accurate, factual reporting on complex safety issues that affect both residents and visitors to the region.For story tips: javier@rivieramayanews.mx