Tulum Official Accused of Permit Conflict of Interest

TULUM — The issuance of building permits in the municipality of Tulum is under scrutiny following a formal complaint alleging a conflict of interest involving Jesús Hernández Valencia. The official simultaneously held a key public planning position and leadership roles within the private construction sector while appointed by Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo.

A Dual Role Under Investigation

Fernando Aznar Pavón, a member of the Council of Honor and Justice of the College of Engineers and Architects of Tulum, filed the complaint with the Municipal Internal Control Body. He stated that Hernández Valencia served concurrently as the General Director of Planning for the City Council and as president of the same professional college. Furthermore, he signed documents as the expert responsible for construction work on various high-value building permits.

According to the complaint, this duality of functions could contravene the Federal Law on Administrative Responsibilities of Public Servants, which obligates public officials to abstain from intervening in matters where a conflict of interest exists.

Potential for "Judge and Party" Situation

The allegation suggests the official participated in authorizing licenses for new construction, land use, expansions, and renewals. These processes require the intervention of a Responsible Director of Works (DRO), a technical figure regulated by state urban development regulations.

Aznar Pavón indicated this situation could cause harm to the municipality, as the same person was involved in both the governmental issuance of permits and the technical validation from the professional association. This, he argued, placed Hernández Valencia in a position of being "judge and party."

The complaint also notes that some of these licenses may lack legal validity, as they were allegedly not issued in accordance with the current Construction Regulations or the provisions of the Law on Human Settlements, Territorial Planning and Urban Development of the State of Quintana Roo.

Timeline of Appointments and Roles

Public information from the Municipal Internal Control Body shows Jesús Hernández Valencia was appointed General Director of Planning by Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo at the beginning of his second term on September 30, 2024. He held the position until September 29, 2025.

Mayor Castañón Trejo appointed him knowing Hernández Valencia was president of the College of Engineers and Architects of Tulum and managing partner of the civil engineering company Sumando 5KO. This was publicly known and stated by the official in his declaration of interests.

When Hernández Valencia left the city council planning directorate on September 29, 2025, he remained president of the College of Engineers and Architects of Tulum and continues in that role to this day, while also continuing to lead Sumando 5KO.

A Second Notorious Case Alleged

This complaint represents the second notable allegation of corruption in the appointment of public officials in Tulum. The most serious prior case, according to the report, involved Mayor Diego Castañón appointing his cousin, Ramiro Diego Castañón Chávez, as director of Urban Development—a move characterized as a clear act of nepotism in another area related to construction permits.

The complaint regarding Jesús Hernández Valencia has been formally filed with the city council's Internal Control Body, which will determine whether administrative responsibilities or possible irregularities exist in the former official's actions.

Professional Concern and Official Silence

The case has generated concern among members of the engineering and architectural profession, who point to possible impacts on the impartiality of licensing processes and allege potential favoritism or disadvantages for some sector professionals.

So far, no official statement has been issued by the municipal authorities regarding these allegations.