Maya Train Derailment Reveals Safety Risks in Mexico

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — A cargo train servicing the Maya Train project derailed near the Limones station in Bacalar, southern Quintana Roo, on the night of Thursday, January 30. The convoy, carrying tons of ballast (stone used to secure railway tracks), overturned onto its side after leaving the rails. The incident left at least one worker injured with non-life-threatening injuries and one severely damaged wagon.

Substandard Rails and Inexperienced Suppliers Under Scrutiny

Unofficial reports suggested there may have been two injured individuals transported to a Bacalar hospital, though authorities have not publicly confirmed this information. According to employee testimonies, the excessive weight of the ballast load may have contributed to the derailment as the train approached the station at low speed.

The Armed Forces, overseeing the project, remained silent following the accident. Neither Maya Train executives nor Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) issued immediate statements. However, the incident highlighted severe deficiencies in the rails procured for the Maya Train.

Analysts point out that many companies contracted to supply the rails lacked prior railway experience, with some being newly established. Several foreign firms, including Chinese corporations involved in construction and material supply for the project, were among the suppliers. Notably, a partnership between the Mexican firm Asimex del Caribe—with a limited track record in the sector—and the Chinese state-owned Angang Group secured contracts to supply rails for sections 2 and 4 of the Maya Train.

Questionable Procurement and Construction Practices

The consortium for section 1 included China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), a subsidiary established in 2017 of the Chinese construction giant, alongside Portugal’s Mota-Engil. Meanwhile, Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation won bids to supply materials for other sections. Collectively, the acquisition of railway tracks fell to suppliers with little prior presence in Mexico, selected to meet the ambitious timeline set by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to complete the project quickly, despite ongoing controversy.

An image shared by experts shows visible warping in the rails along a section of the Maya Train, evidence of structural deformations. Railway specialists had warned for months about serious technical issues and questionable material quality. An independent report identified rails with warping, broken or loosened fasteners, and fractured concrete sleepers—all of which compromise infrastructure safety.

Safety Concerns and Lack of Expertise

Seasoned railway workers stated that the Maya Train’s operations lack “trained or knowledgeable personnel” and questioned whether the project adheres to international railway standards followed in Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.

These deficiencies align with the derailment site’s conditions: despite the train moving at a moderate speed, bolts and track components failed under stress, causing the wagon to leave the rails.

“This is a serious problem. When the wagon derailed… the train was moving at 10 km/h, but these trains operate at 120 to 160 km/h. No one wants a tragedy,” warned civil engineer Wilberth Esquivel, urging a thorough review of rail quality.

Private Flight by López Obrador’s Son Fuels Criticism

As project personnel addressed the accident and safety concerns mounted, another incident sparked outrage. Andrés Manuel “Andy” López Beltrán, son of former President López Obrador, arrived in the region aboard a private flight operated by the National Guard, according to a report by Diario Cambio 22.

López Beltrán, a high-ranking political operative for the ruling Morena party, was first spotted in Cancún, where his younger brother was set to marry that weekend at the exclusive Vidanta Riviera Maya resort in Puerto Morelos. From there, López Beltrán and his partner traveled by land to the newly inaugurated Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport in Tulum to board a National Guard Boeing 727 (registration XC-NPF).

The use of this official aircraft for personal travel constituted a trip “charged to public funds,” according to the report. Flight records indicate the plane departed Mérida Air Base in Yucatán at 5:22 PM on Wednesday, January 29, bound for Tulum to pick up López Beltrán and his companion. Escorted by National Guard personnel, they then flew to San Francisco de Campeche, landing around 7:36 PM. Witnesses stated the plane was parked discreetly to avoid media attention.

Hours later, López Beltrán attended a gathering with Morena supporters in Campeche, confirming his presence in the area. Images and details of the trip drew sharp criticism on social media and from opposition figures, who accused him of misusing public resources—particularly amid the Maya Train derailment.

Growing Scrutiny of the Maya Train’s Future

The timing of the derailment and López Beltrán’s flight has strained the government’s narrative around the Maya Train. While officials have touted the “successful” inauguration and operation of the train’s initial sections, the incident reveals alarming construction flaws and apparent indifference from the political elite.

Had the accident involved a passenger train instead of a cargo train, the outcome could have been catastrophic. Experts warn that unless rail deficiencies and safety protocols are addressed, Mexico risks a far more severe disaster in the future.

Railway safety must take precedence over political expediency. The “hidden flaws” in construction—defective materials, unqualified personnel, and rushed inaugurations—have been exposed, demanding immediate action to prevent potential loss of life.