Sargassum Collection Company Battles Solidaridad Government in Court

The company Dakatso is alleging that the Solidaridad government has failed to pay for its seaweed collection services.

Dakatso was contracted by the previous municipal administration during a sargasso crisis. The company is now claiming approximately six million pesos from the current government, citing non-payment. Adrián Armando Pérez Vera, a municipal trustee of Solidaridad, has reported that Dakatso has initiated an administrative litigation suit against the local government over the alleged non-payment.

According to Dakatso, the payment was not made during the 2016-2018 administration. Pérez Vera explained, "This is a company that was contracted several administrations ago. Remember that for many years we had a sargasso outbreak and various companies were hired. They argue that one of the services they provided was not paid for by the administration at the time, and the issue has been ongoing. We came into office and found the same situation, a service provided years ago that was not paid for."

The administrative litigation trial is currently being held in the Second Unitary Chamber of the Administrative Court of Justice of Quintana Roo, under file number 24/2023-SU2-II. The suit was initiated by the trading company Grupo Dakatso México against the Solidaridad City Council. Dakatso's legal representative has expressed confidence in their case, believing that the tribunal will rule in their favor.

Pérez Vera elaborated, “These are significant public money matters. If we can avoid paying them, it's better for the citizens because it impacts things like lighting and public services. The amount in question is around six million."

This trial is not the only one the current administration is dealing with. There are other cases involving large sums of public money due to potential irregularities by past city councils with creditors. In the Federal Administrative Justice Court's Caribbean and Auxiliary Chamber, the Solidaridad city council is awaiting the resolution of an appeal filed by the Tax Administration Service (SAT). The SAT is claiming a tax credit of 180 million pesos, money that was not reported in the administration led by Mauricio Góngora Escalante.