Researchers File 700-Page Criminal Complaint Against INAH Over Maya Train Damage

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Researchers from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) have filed a 700-page criminal complaint with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) alleging the destruction and alteration of at least 47 Maya archaeological monuments during construction of the Maya Train.

The complaint, submitted by researchers Jesús Evaristo Sánchez Sánchez and Jaime Garduño Argueta at the FGR office in Chetumal, accuses 22 current and former INAH officials — including former director general Diego Prieto Hernández — of crimes including destruction of monuments, forgery of archaeological structures, illegal exercise of public service, and criminal conspiracy.

According to the complaint, the alleged damage occurred during archaeological salvage work on Sections 6 and 7 of the federal megaproject. The researchers claim that pre-Hispanic structures were dismantled and relocated to the Balam Tun park, where they were used to build new constructions, resulting in an irreversible loss of archaeological context, authenticity, and integrity.

“If this practice is confirmed, we are not talking about a scientific rescue but an unprecedented alteration of our historical heritage protected by national laws,” Sánchez said.

The complaint includes 90 pages of documented facts, 37 detailed photographs of the damage, and 18 annexes with technical reports and academic publications. The legal argument cites the Federal Law on Archaeological, Artistic and Historic Monuments and Zones, alleging six separate offenses, including what the plaintiffs called “archaeological ideological fraud” through the alleged forgery of monuments.

The researchers emphasized that the criminal action is not intended to halt regional infrastructure development but to ensure the protection of archaeological remains in accordance with international treaties.

The union announced it is preparing two additional complaints for similar irregularities at the Memory parks in Xpujil and Escárcega, as well as legal actions in critical zones in Cobá and Tulum.