Maya Train Scandal: Spanish Corruption Links to Yucatán

Mérida, Mexico — The Maya Train project has been embroiled in a corruption scandal originating in Spain, with its third section—which runs through Yucatán—directly implicated. Three Spanish companies secured contracts for the railway project through intermediaries linked to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, all accused of operating a bribery network involving public contracts managed by Spain’s Ministry of Transport.

The so-called "Koldo case" also implicates Mexican officials, including Morena senators Alejandro Murat and Pedro Haces. A meeting with Ricardo Monreal during a trip to Mexico—costing the Spanish treasury €44,000—reportedly secured contracts for the Maya Train with Spanish firms Ineco, Azvi, and Acciona, allegedly through bribes.

Meeting with Spanish Officials Over Maya Train

On February 4, 2019, José Luis Ábalos, then Spain’s Minister of Development, traveled to Mexico accompanied by his advisor Koldo García and businessman Víctor de Aldama, who organized the trip despite not being part of the official delegation. The purpose, as reported by Reforma, was to pave the way for Spanish companies interested in the Maya Train project.

During the visit, Ábalos met with his Mexican counterpart, Javier Jiménez Espriú, then head of the Secretariat of Communications and Transport, as well as Senator Ricardo Monreal, who confirmed the encounter in an official statement. Ábalos also held discussions with Oaxaca Governor Alejandro Murat and other Mexican officials.

De Aldama was later awarded an honorary title by the Oaxaca government as a "cultural, tourism, commercial, and economic promoter"—a symbolic gesture coinciding with his efforts to facilitate contracts for Spanish construction firms.

Spanish Firms Awarded Maya Train Contracts

The lobbying efforts bore fruit:

• In December 2020, Spain’s state-owned Ineco, tied to the Ministry of Transport, won a €13.2 million (~300 million pesos) contract as a "shadow operator" for technical oversight of the Maya Train, partnering with a German firm.
• In May 2020, Spanish builder Azvi, in alliance with Mexican firm Grupo Indi (a contractor for the López Obrador administration), secured the contract for Section 3 of the Maya Train, initially valued at 10.192 billion pesos but later exceeding 23 billion.
• Acciona, another Spanish firm implicated, won the contract for Section 5 in January 2021, though it was later revoked after President López Obrador transferred the project to Mexico’s Defense Ministry (Sedena).

Businessman Confirms Bribes for Maya Train Contracts

According to judicial testimony cited by Spanish media, Víctor de Aldama admitted receiving €18,000 in bribes from Azvi for intermediation in contracts, including those for the Maya Train. He also alleged that Acciona paid illegal commissions for political favors, implicating Koldo García, Ábalos, and PSOE organizer Santos Cerdán.

The trip, costing over €44,000 in travel, lodging, and expenses, was justified as a mission to "strengthen Spain’s presence in Mexico’s major infrastructure projects." However, the exclusion of Spain’s ambassador to Mexico, Juan López-Dóriga, and De Aldama’s unofficial role raised diplomatic and judicial concerns.

De Aldama testified that Koldo García enlisted him to "open doors" in Mexico due to his ties with PRI politicians. In December 2018, he had already met with Ábalos and Governor Murat in Oaxaca to discuss Spanish interests in the region.

Morena Senators Implicated

Investigations by The Objective revealed De Aldama’s close ties to Morena politicians Pedro Haces and Alejandro Murat, whom he referred to as "brothers." Intercepted communications by Spain’s Civil Guard showed De Aldama pressuring Haces to arrange contact with Murat, emphasizing his influence over Spain’s Ministry of Transport to secure infrastructure deals.

Murat traveled to Madrid in December 2018 for meetings with García and De Aldama, followed by a January 2019 visit to Oaxaca by Globalia’s CEO (parent company of Air Europa) and the February 2019 official trip by Ábalos.

Spanish Officials’ Visit Deemed a "Success"

The delegation bypassed Spain’s embassy in Mexico, with De Aldama later calling the operation a "total success." He returned with a signed agreement between Oaxaca and the Spanish government.

De Aldama testified that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez personally thanked him for his efforts on the Maya Train during a PSOE rally in Madrid, a claim supported by a photograph of the two.

Senators Deny Involvement

Both Murat and Monreal denied any connection to the Spanish corruption case. Monreal stated that meeting Ábalos as Senate leader was routine diplomacy, while Murat dismissed allegations, saying, "I have nothing to hide. Look elsewhere."

The Maya Train’s construction began in November 2019, with Azvi and Indi winning the bid for Section 3 (Calkiní to Izamal) in May 2020.