Sierra Papacal, Yucatan — Farmers from the Sierra Papacal community halted construction on the Maya Train project Sunday, alleging irregularities in the development and claiming authorities have failed to address their land concerns.
The farmers said the project threatens to take their lands for a section connecting to the port of Progreso, and that no officials have approached them for dialogue or compensation discussions. They warned they might block the state highway to Chuburná Puerto, prompting authorities to advise drivers to take precautions and consider alternate routes.
The farmers held their assembly on the street last Monday because they say local commissioner Gilberto Pech Tho has “seized” the community building. They accuse Pech Tho of serious complicity in irregular land transfers.
They also denounced a corruption network allegedly led by Juvencio Valdez, the community’s legal advisor, who they say extorted over 200 farmers for more than 100,000 pesos each with promises of processing payments that never materialized.
With no response to their concerns, the farmers stopped work Sunday on the Maya Train section that will connect to the deep-water port in Progreso.
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