Mexico’s Supreme Court Requests Maya Translation of Ruling Against Grupo Xcaret

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Five months after Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that Grupo Xcaret must stop using Maya symbolism on its official platforms, the Court has asked the Federal Institute of Public Defense (IFDP) to arrange for the ruling to be translated into Maya.

According to the case file published Tuesday, the Supreme Court requested that IFDP designate public officials qualified to translate the plain-language version of the ruling into Maya, in the appropriate regional variant, and report back as soon as possible.

The case dates to March 26, when the Court discussed indigenous peoples’ intellectual property rights. The dispute stems from an amparo granted to Grupo Xcaret in September and October 2024 following a lawsuit by the National Institute of Copyright (INDAUTOR).

In mid-July, INDAUTOR urged the Supreme Court to issue its ruling on the suspension incident. While the decision establishes that indigenous cultural heritage belongs collectively to communities and that commercial use requires proper authorization, the ruling itself is needed to define the scope of Xcaret’s obligations and prevent the company from falling into contempt.

Following the initial decision, Xcaret suspended its Travesía Sagrada Maya event in April. Once the translators are appointed, the Court will be able to publish the ruling in Maya.