Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The Quintana Roo government has thrown its support behind a community-led push for the federal government to establish working groups in Mahahual, aiming to chart a sustainable development path for the Costa Maya region.
Oscar Rébora Aguilera, head of the state’s Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), said the state administration backs the request from Mahahual residents and productive sectors. He confirmed that the state is coordinating with federal authorities to set up the dialogue mechanism, which is seen as essential for driving projects that generate social welfare, investment, and employment.
Rébora Aguilera noted that the working groups depend on a formal directive from President Claudia Sheinbaum, who must sign and publish a presidential agreement outlining participation guidelines for different levels of government.
“We share the concern and interest of the Mahahual community. We are pushing for these working groups to be installed as soon as possible because they represent an opportunity to build consensus and define strategies for the orderly development of the Costa Maya,” he said.
The official emphasized that economic growth must follow sustainability criteria, preserving the ecosystems that make Mahahual a key attraction in the Mexican Caribbean. He said the Costa Maya faces challenges balancing economic activity with environmental protection, making it essential that decisions emerge from dialogue involving federal, state, and municipal authorities, as well as civil society, business leaders, and local residents.
Once the presidential agreement is issued, the federal tourism and environment secretariats will be required to coordinate with the Quintana Roo government and municipal authorities to set timelines, scope, and working mechanisms for the groups.
The goal is to build a comprehensive development agenda for Mahahual covering infrastructure, land-use planning, natural resource protection, tourism strengthening, and new economic opportunities for local families.
The push for working groups has gained momentum in recent weeks as community sectors call for a long-term vision for Mahahual’s growth, driven by rising investor interest and the area’s potential for tourism and commercial development in southern Quintana Roo.
The state government reiterated its willingness to collaborate with the federal government to advance agreements that promote responsible and sustainable development in the Costa Maya, combining economic growth, social welfare, and environmental protection.
