Judge Stops Bacalar Military Project Over Eco Risks

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — A federal judge has ordered Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) and the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) to suspend construction of a military rest facility along the shores of Bacalar Lagoon until they provide justification for the project and submit the required environmental impact studies and permits.

The ruling, issued by the First District Judge based in Chetumal, stems from an injunction (amparo) lawsuit (case 241/2025) filed by local residents concerned about the ecological consequences of the project. The judge granted a provisional suspension in favor of the plaintiffs, who argue that the construction could alter approximately five kilometers of the coastline of the "Lagoon of Seven Colors" and harm the surrounding ecosystem.

Legal Challenge and Environmental Concerns

Attorney Ángel Pool Navarro, representing the plaintiffs, stated that the lawsuit seeks to uphold constitutional rights under Articles 4 and 25 of the Mexican Constitution, which guarantee a healthy environment. The legal action alleges that Semarnat failed to enforce environmental oversight by allowing the project to proceed without requiring Sedena to submit an environmental impact assessment.

The judge’s decision mandates federal environmental authorities to evaluate whether the extraction of water and sediment from the lagoon for construction purposes has caused or could cause irreversible damage. Sedena has also been accused of using heavy machinery that could negatively alter the area, though the full ecological consequences remain unassessed.

Delayed Hearing and Allegations of Covert Work

A constitutional hearing scheduled for 9:30 a.m. was postponed due to incomplete documentation, with a new date pending. Meanwhile, Navarro warned of unconfirmed reports that construction may be continuing clandestinely at night. If verified, the plaintiffs plan to file a contempt motion against the authorities involved.

Navarro emphasized that the lawsuit aims to protect the lagoon—a key tourist attraction—for future generations and urged the public to monitor compliance with the suspension order.

The case highlights tensions between infrastructure development and environmental preservation in Bacalar, a region renowned for its natural beauty.