Mexican Government Expropriates Nearly 5 Hectares of Land for Maya Train Project

Mexico City — The Mexican federal government published a decree on Friday expropriating approximately 4.8 hectares of private land for the Maya Train railway project across four southeastern states.

The decree, published in the Official Gazette of the Federation, authorizes the seizure of 48,661.703 square meters of land for public utility purposes. The expropriation affects 14 properties located in municipalities across Campeche, Tabasco, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo, along sections 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 of the railway route.

Affected municipalities include Candelaria, Champotón, and Campeche in Campeche; Tenosique in Tabasco; Umán in Yucatán; and Othón P. Blanco, Puerto Morelos, Solidaridad, Tulum, and Felipe Carrillo Puerto in Quintana Roo.

The decree states that the expropriation covers not only the land surface but also any buildings and installations on the properties. The Ministry of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development will take immediate possession, and legal challenges will not suspend this action.

For compensation, the document specifies that Tren Maya, S.A. de C.V., the state-owned company managing the project, must pay indemnities based on appraisals conducted by the Institute of Administration and Appraisal of National Assets. Property owners who can prove legal title are eligible.

Affected individuals may challenge the compensation amount through judicial proceedings within ten business days after receiving notification of the decree, but they cannot contest the expropriation itself.

The decree also requires Tren Maya to review and adjust any previous legal agreements related to the properties, deducting any prior payments from the final compensation amount.

If the government does not use the land for the intended purpose within five years, affected parties may pursue legal action during the following two years. The decree took effect immediately upon publication.