Maya Groups Demand Governor Stop Backing Xcaret in Court Case

Tixcacal Guardia, Quintana Roo — Maya Cruzo’ob communities have called on Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa to stop intervening on behalf of Grupo Xcaret in a Supreme Court case involving the unauthorized use of Maya cultural heritage. The demand came after Mexico’s Supreme Court postponed its review of the case indefinitely.

The communities made their plea during a press conference on Saturday, following the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to place the case on a waiting list without setting a date for review. The case, identified as Review in Suspension Incident 04/2025, involves allegations that Xcaret improperly uses Maya cultural symbols, rituals, and iconography without consent.

“We ask the governor of Quintana Roo to stop interceding for Grupo Xcaret, with whom she has a long and close friendship since she was a communicator at Grupo Sipse and Radio Turquesa,” community representatives stated.

A source revealed to local media that Governor Lezama has been calling Supreme Court President Hugo Aguilar Ortiz directly to lobby for Xcaret, whose leadership includes Miguel Quintana Pali and Carlos Constandse Madrazo. The executives have reportedly been seeking legal signatures in Mexico City to approach Supreme Court justices.

Case Frozen in Supreme Court

The Supreme Court placed the Xcaret case on its waiting list during its March 18 session, despite previous indications it would be addressed. Court Secretary announced during the public session: “I report that it was determined to leave on the list matters identified with numbers 4, 5, 28, and 29.” The Xcaret case is number 28.

Community representatives expressed concern that “by being on the list, this case lacks a sentence; there is no definitive decision or legal effects on it. The procedure marks that the case should appear on a ‘List of Matters’ to be resolved, but no timeline is established.”

They noted that “given the relevance of the topic and the disparity between the Maya Cruzo’ob communities who have been pushing the case for years and the economic power and influence of Grupo Xcaret, the delay in addressing the matter favors the wealthy businessmen and oppresses the historically disadvantaged indigenous Maya.”

Legal Background

The case dates to 2022 when the National Copyright Institute initiated proceedings and sanctioned Xcaret after the company admitted to exploiting cultural heritage without authorization. The institute, headed by Karina Luján, ordered Xcaret to remove Maya cultural elements from its promotions and stop improper exploitation.

In 2023, the institute stated: “To the communities and indigenous peoples who identify with the Maya people in Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan, we inform: The National Copyright Institute initiated the Administrative Infraction Procedure regarding Cultural Heritage Protection promoted by members of the Maya People in Quintana Roo against Grupo Xcaret for improper use of cultural heritage elements.”

Xcaret filed an injunction that was dismissed in May 2023, but in November 2024, the company filed another indirect injunction against the institute’s measures. Judge Gabriel Regis Lopez granted the injunction, and in February 2025, Xcaret received a definitive suspension allowing continued use of Maya cultural heritage.

Political Connections

Community representatives highlighted Governor Lezama’s political debt to Xcaret’s economic group, which supported her campaigns. In 2022 social media posts where she congratulated Carlos Constandse, users questioned whether Xcaret governs Quintana Roo.

“We trust that the collusion between political and economic powers finds no place in the People’s Court,” the Maya Cruzo’ob communities stated.

Sources close to the case said that on March 18, while court commentators discussed the Xcaret case, Governor Lezama communicated with Supreme Court President Hugo Aguilar. They believe this communication influenced the decision not to address the case.

Next Steps

Maya generals from Quintana Roo announced they will meet with Supreme Court justices next week to present “the relevance of the case for community authorities and the thousands of Maya Cruzo’ob following the matter.”

They expressed uncertainty about whether the court will rule in favor of indigenous communities, recalling words from President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in May 2021: “If I had to say in one phrase what the government I represent seeks, I would say: for the good of all, first the poor, up with those below and down with privileges.”