Sheinbaum Expands Tren Maya Land Expropriations in Mexico

Quintana Roo, Mexico — The federal government has executed three new expropriations of land in Quintana Roo, Campeche, and Yucatán to facilitate the passage of the Tren Maya, continuing its efforts to regularize property ownership along the route of the megaproject. These actions supplement prior expropriations carried out under declarations of public utility over the past two years.

Details of the Expropriations

A decree published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) outlines the expropriation of 2.5 hectares in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, along with slightly over one hectare combined in the municipalities of Escárcega, Campeche, and Tixpéhual, Yucatán.

The expropriated land in Chetumal belongs to the local ejido (communal land), for which the federal government offered compensation of 10,349,600 pesos. In Campeche, the affected land is part of the Haro ejido, with an indemnity of 70,384 pesos for 0.3 hectares. The Yucatán expropriation involves just 0.06 hectares, compensated at 99,730 pesos.

All valuations were determined by the Instituto de Administración y Avalúos de Bienes Nacionales (Indaabin).

Justification for the Expropriations

The federal government emphasized the Tren Maya’s significance as a major infrastructure, socioeconomic, and tourism initiative, stating:

“The Tren Maya project, as one of the most important infrastructure, socioeconomic development, and tourism projects—both domestically and internationally—will not only boost passenger transportation but will also solidify itself as a key freight transport system, accelerating commerce in the peninsula and facilitating trade with the rest of the country.”

Background on Land Expropriations

Expropriations for the Tren Maya intensified in 2022, with thousands of hectares seized daily at the peak of construction. While the frequency of such actions has since declined, the project’s infrastructure was completed last year, with remaining efforts focused on finalizing land regularization.

The latest expropriations reflect the government’s ongoing commitment to securing necessary land for the megaproject, which aims to enhance regional connectivity and economic growth.