Cancún Cathedral Construction Sparks Outcry Over Ecological Harm

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Residents near the Cancún Cathedral, alongside environmental activists and experts, have publicly condemned the severe ecological damage caused by expansion work at the headquarters of the Cancún-Chetumal Diocese. The group announced plans to demand the complete removal of the structure, which is located within the municipal ecological reserve Ombligo Verde.

Destruction of Protected Land

Local citizens raised alarms over the destruction of trees, displacement of wildlife, accumulation of construction debris, and the execution of work without an Environmental Impact Assessment or valid construction permits.

Ana Esquivel, an environmental engineer and area resident, emphasized the urgency of protecting the reserve. "What we demand is real protection and active citizen participation. Ombligo Verde, as Quintana Roo’s first municipal ecological reserve, must be preserved for future generations," she stated.

Esquivel also stressed the need for collaboration with authorities to begin restoring the affected area. "We are witnessing the consequences of an illegal intervention: felled trees, displaced animals, piled rubble, and land use that contradicts the ecological purpose of this reserve," she added.

Legal Violations and Formal Complaints

The residents highlighted that the construction not only violates the 2012 decree establishing the reserve but also breaches environmental laws by operating without permits or required evaluations.

Formal complaints have been filed with the Secretary of Ecology and Urban Development, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa), and other federal and municipal agencies. The group is calling for an immediate halt to construction, revocation of the building permit, and penalties for those responsible.

The controversy underscores growing tensions between urban development and environmental preservation in Cancún, as advocates push for stricter enforcement of ecological protections.