Sedetus Finds 500 Illegal Settlements in Quintana Roo

Playa del Carmen — Between 450 and 500 irregular settlements have been detected by the Secretariat of Territorial, Urban, and Sustainable Development (Sedetus) in Quintana Roo, with the majority concentrated in Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, where families have occupied land without the corresponding legal documentation.

The secretary, José Alberto Alonso, explained that in response, inspection, regularization, and prevention operations have been reinforced to prevent fraud and protect the assets of those who acquire properties. "First, we must alert families not to be swayed by people who invite them to occupy lots without the corresponding documents, without the corresponding permits. They are occupying something that belongs to someone, and what isn't yours belongs to someone else. In the end, there will be a judicial consequence," he warned.

He reported that Sedetus has issued bulletins on 116 irregular developments and maintains approximately 300 sections open for inspection, of which work is already underway on 120.

The official highlighted that the attention is not limited solely to private properties, as there are also some federal and state lands involved. "There are also settlements that are on state lands. This was also due to negligence by the State. For eight years, Sedetus could not sign any contracts; this year the deputies gave us the authority again and we are now doing brigades with the municipality to invite people to get their papers in order and have certainty that no one will evict them," he detailed.

Regarding regularization, he explained that progress has been made in different municipalities. In Mahahual, for example, 120 contracts have been generated for a plot of 170, representing 66% of families regularized. In Playa del Carmen, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and Cancún, the process is advancing gradually.

"There are national lands, like in Playa del Carmen, that are generating problems because some say they have possession, but they are subdividing… it is totally illegal. What these people do is deceive others, they are stealing money because they have no right over that project," he stated.

He also mentioned the involvement of notaries in the irregular legalization of properties, which represents a legal risk. "They are not apocryphal documents, but it is illegal because a notary cannot attest to a fictitious transfer of a property, and they know this. It is an issue where there is a lot of profit for people without scruples, and it condemns families," he asserted.

He said that concurrently, Sedetus is coordinating efforts with the National Institute for Sustainable Land (INSUS) and the ejidos to regularize occupations through negotiated expropriation or legitimate contracts.

Regarding recent advances, in Playa del Carmen, he highlighted that in the Colosio area, 188 property titles will be delivered to their legitimate owners, while in other zones the regularization of residential, commercial, and tourist properties continues, with a 50% advancement rate in the service office.