Laura Beristain Returns to Politics With Environmental Banner in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Former Playa del Carmen mayor Laura Beristain has called an environmental forum for Oct. 2 as she positions herself for a possible run for governor of Quintana Roo with the party Redes Sociales Progresando (RSP).

The event, billed as “Protección Chenzubul,” will be held at Caracol Marino, a venue on Calle 80 at Quinta Avenida that also serves as Beristain’s residence, according to the organizers’ announcement. The site sits directly across from Chenzubul, an area of roughly 30 hectares that the Beristain family has adopted as a conservation cause.

Caracol Marino also faces the Cielo y Mar hotel, a seven-story development that Beristain built while she was mayor and that has drawn scrutiny over its environmental permits, according to reporting by Sol Quintana Roo. Critics point out that during her time in office she never used her government authority to protect the Chenzubul area.

Beristain, whose term as mayor ended five years ago amid heavy criticism of her administration, has kept a low profile in recent years and is not invited to municipal events that bring together former Playa del Carmen mayors. She reappeared publicly in August and has since begun rebuilding her political profile.

This week she was seen alongside Pepe Monroy, described as the moral leader of RSP, and Alfredo Paz Cetina, who served as general secretary of the city council during her administration.

People close to the former mayor say she is preparing to seek the governorship for RSP, a party widely described as an ally of Morena that has already met the requirements to register with Ieqroo, Quintana Roo’s electoral institute.

According to those familiar with her plans, the environmental forum is a first step aimed at reviving her public standing before the party’s nomination process moves forward.