Land Grabs in Playa del Carmen: Squatters Take Over

Over 100 hectares of land in Solidaridad have been taken over by squatters. Despite this clear violation of the law, political inaction has allowed the squatters to remain. The Quintana Roo General Prosecutor's Office has only been able to evict squatters from the area known as the Industrial Zone.

Last Monday, with the support of the state police, the department managed to evict around ten families who had unlawfully occupied the land. This marks the second time evictions have been carried out in this area. Local residents claim these squatters are not individuals in need, but people who seize land with the intent to lease it out later.

The Prosecutor's Office has not released any information regarding this situation. However, it is known that seals from the Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial, and Urban Development had previously been placed in the area.

Over six years ago, a 20-hectare plot west of the city was seized by individuals who then established a settlement known as In House. This area is now home to more than 5,000 families. The former commissioner has stated that there is a lack of political will to tackle these land seizures.

In the Ejidal colony, another 20 hectares of land have been seized. Despite complaints from those affected, the authorities have yet to respond. This area is also home to approximately 5,000 people.

Another case of land seizure was reported in a high-tension area of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) on communal lands. This area, known as the Las Torres colony, spans over five hectares and is home to around a thousand families living in poor conditions. Despite the irregular nature of the settlement, residents are demanding basic services.