1982 decree may void land claims in Tulum park dispute

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The head of the State Prosecutor’s Office, Raciel López Salazar, confirmed that authorities are reviewing the legal status of a plot within Tulum National Park after two women complained directly to President Claudia Sheinbaum about an alleged attempted dispossession.

López Salazar stated that a presidential expropriation decree issued in 1982 grants ownership of the land to the federal government, potentially nullifying any private claims.

“We must remember there is a presidential expropriation decree from 1982 in favor of the federal government itself, and that is what we are analyzing,” López Salazar said.

The prosecutor noted that the public ministry has presented a series of documents and is requesting information from relevant agencies to determine whether the complainants have any legal right to the property.

The women, identified as Norma and Yamileth, intercepted President Sheinbaum during her tour of the Jaguar Park in Tulum to voice their complaint. They claim to have owned the land since 1956 and accuse the State Prosecutor’s Office of fabricating a criminal investigation to dispossess them.

“The prosecutor’s office fabricated an investigation to try to dispossess us; now it is the armed wing of white-collar criminals,” they said.

The women said they have a federal amparo (injunction) but the prosecutor’s office has not complied with restoring possession. They also said Governor Mara Lezama is aware of the case through a citizen hearing.

They expressed concern that the prosecutor’s office might hand over the land to someone else before judges return from vacation to follow up on their case.