Sheinbaum to Audit Maya Train Contracts After Corruption Scandal

Mexico City — President Claudia Sheinbaum has pledged a comprehensive review of contracts linked to the Maya Train project following allegations of corruption tied to the Spanish scandal known as the "Caso Koldo." The investigation will scrutinize potential irregularities in agreements involving Spanish firms implicated in the bribery scheme.

Audit Launched Amid International Scrutiny

During her morning press conference at the National Palace, Sheinbaum confirmed that the Anti-Corruption Secretariat is conducting an audit as part of the administrative closure of the mega-project. "Since our administration began, it has been our obligation to conduct a general review to finalize all Maya Train contracts," she stated.

The "Caso Koldo" has rocked the Spanish government, sparking calls for President Pedro Sánchez's resignation. The scandal involves systematic bribery to secure public works contracts, with repercussions extending to companies contracted for the Maya Train, including Spanish state-owned firm INECO and private firms AZVI and ACCIONA.

Key Contracts Under Review

In February 2019, central figures in the scandal—José Luis Ábalos, then Spain’s Minister of Development; his advisor Koldo García; and businessman Víctor de Aldama—traveled to Mexico to negotiate contracts with the Mexican government. Subsequent deals included:

• INECO: Awarded a €13.2 million contract as Fonatur’s "shadow operator."
• AZVI: Won the bid for Section 3 of the Maya Train in a consortium with Grupo INDI, with costs ballooning from 10 billion to over 23 billion pesos.
• ACCIONA: Initially contracted for Section 5, though the agreement was later terminated and reassigned to Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena).

Sheinbaum emphasized transparency, noting that the project is also under audit by Mexico’s Superior Audit Office. "I instructed Raquel Buenrostro [head of the Anti-Corruption Secretariat] to conduct a full review. If irregularities are found, they will be referred to the appropriate authorities," she said.

The probe coincides with heightened international scrutiny over ties between Spanish political and corporate actors and flagship projects from Mexico’s previous administration, marking a new phase of oversight for the Maya Train under Sheinbaum’s government.