SEMA Rules Out Revival of Tajamar Project in Cancun

Cancun, Quintana Roo — The state’s environment secretary has dismissed claims that authorities and business leaders are working to revive the controversial Malecón Tajamar development project, reaffirming that a final court ruling prohibits any construction on the site.

Óscar Rébora Aguilera, head of the Quintana Roo Secretariat of Ecology and Environment (SEMA), said his agency has no knowledge of any proposal to restart the project, contradicting recent statements by Miguel Lemus Mateos, president of the state’s Association of Real Estate Developers (Adiqroo).

“There is a sentence that must be complied with, and it will not be violated,” Rébora said. “SEMA has no proposal to reactivate the project, not even with a lower density.”

He explained that current efforts in the area focus on urban planning and protecting local flora and fauna, not on building a real estate complex. While some developers may have private interest in the land, those initiatives are not part of the state government’s plans, he added.

The Tajamar project, which originally envisioned a large mixed-use development on a mangrove lagoon in Cancun’s Hotel Zone, has been blocked by court orders following years of legal battles over environmental damage. The latest ruling is considered definitive.

Rébora reiterated that SEMA will continue working only on environmental care and urban infrastructure in the zone, fully respecting the judicial decisions in force.

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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx