Mahahual Eviction Sparks Outrage Amid Broken Dialogue Pledge

Mahahual, Quintana Roo — Agents from the Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office (FGE), supported by the Mexican Navy (Semar) and the State Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC), carried out an eviction yesterday against residents of the property known as El Manicero in the coastal community of Mahahual.

The operation took place despite prior assurances from the Quintana Roo State Government Secretariat that dialogue would be pursued to resolve disputes between Mahahual residents and authorities. Residents reported that FGE agents did not present a judicial order and that the eviction was conducted without warning.

Disputed Land and Arrests

The El Manicero property, located at kilometer 55, has been claimed for years by multiple families and is currently contested due to the proposed Mexmundo tourism project, which lacks the necessary environmental permits for development.

During the eviction, two individuals were detained for attempting to block FGE, Semar, and SSC personnel. In response, residents and community members briefly blocked the Mahahual-Cafetal highway before authorities dispersed the protest.

Growing Tensions

This latest eviction adds to rising tensions in Mahahual, where irregular settlements have faced repeated displacement attempts. A scheduled public meeting between FGE officials and residents, intended to address grievances, was abruptly canceled earlier in the week.

On July 23, residents had previously blocked the Mahahual-Cafetal highway at kilometer 50 in protest against eviction attempts by the FGE, SSC, and federal armed forces.

The situation remains unresolved as authorities and residents continue to clash over land rights and development plans in the region.