Maya Train Project Still Owes Compensation to Bacalar Farmers for Land Expropriation

Bacalar, Quintana Roo — Farmers in the municipality of Bacalar are still waiting for compensation after authorities expropriated their land for the Maya Train project, despite the legal basis for the seizure under federal development plans.

The expropriation involved approximately 3.63 hectares designated for the construction of the Maya Train station, but the ejido, or communal landholding, has not received notification of the indemnity amount owed to them.

Manuel Jesús Poot Cohuo, president of the Aaron Merino Fernández ejidal commission, said the debt lies with the Fideicomiso Fondo Nacional de Fomento Ejidal (FIFONAFE), the trust that manages compensation for land expropriations. “We have this outstanding debt with FIFONAFE for the payment corresponding to the nearly 3 hectares allocated to the Maya Train station construction,” Poot Cohuo stated. “This land was handed over for works that concluded some time ago, but so far, we have not been told how much the ejido will receive as compensation. We are still waiting because we have been informed that the process remains under review and federal authorities need to approve it.”

FIFONAFE oversees fair payments in expropriation cases to ensure funds benefit ejidos and communities. The ejido representative expressed hope for a swift resolution. “We continue with efforts before the Trust, expecting a favorable resolution soon so that the farmers can be compensated for the use of their land,” Poot Cohuo added. “This is a priority issue we will keep insisting on because it is a resource that will greatly help the ejido members. We trust that federal authorities will determine the amount promptly and finalize the pending payment.”

The Aaron Merino Fernández ejido is part of a series of expropriations in the area for section 6 of the railway project, which began in 2022. The farmers are demanding fair agreements, respect for their rights, and an expedited process to receive compensation in line with current regulations.