Roberto Palazuelos’ Tulum Land Battle

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Amid one of the worst tourism crises in its history, Roberto Palazuelos, a businessman identified as a contributor to gentrification and rising costs in the area, is engaged in a legal process to appropriate a parcel of land within a protected natural area.

The former Movimiento Ciudadano candidate for the Senate, who also calls himself a lawyer but does not practice litigation, is maintaining an open legal dispute against the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) for control of a piece of land within the Tulum National Park, an area now under the control of the Mexican Army.

The actor's hunger and voracity appear to have no limits, as he is maintaining an open appeal process against a sentence issued on February 20 of this year, which did not rule in his favor regarding the occupation of the property.

This story has been reported by Sol Quintana Roo based on a review of judicial files, which now hold more relevance than ever due to the current situation in Tulum. Amid accusations of inflated prices for tourist services, the name of Roberto Palazuelos stands out as one of the causes of this setback, as the exorbitant prices he charged for a single night at his hotel, Diamante K, were well known, with rates surpassing 30,000 pesos during high season.

Furthermore, this same individual has publicly stated that he had access to privileged information years ago, allowing him to purchase land at low cost with the knowledge that the Tulum boom was being planned by the Federal Government. Roberto Palazuelos has spoken openly about his closeness to the children of former presidents and has even been seen traveling aboard aircraft from the Presidency of the Republic.

Nevertheless, he is currently in a legal battle with the Federal government. According to court file 275/2025, an appeal under review by the Third Collegiate Circuit Court, the businessman refuses to relent.

This Monday, the aforementioned judicial body announced that the matter is close to a new resolution after the panel of three magistrates was formed. Among them is former PRI party deputy Berenice Polanco Córdoba. Should Palazuelos lose this lawsuit, the ruling will be unappealable.