Tren Maya: Navigating Stormy Waters in Mexico’s Infrastructure Journey

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—Researched and Written by Ana Salgado—Issue Jul 01-31 2024: The Tren Maya is a railway infrastructure project in Mexico that aims to connect the main cities and tourist destinations in the southeastern part of the country, including the states of Chiapas, Tabasco, Campeche, Yucatán, and Quintana Roo. The project was officially launched by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in 2018. While the train aimed to promote the economic and tourist development of the region, improve connectivity, and facilitate the transportation of people and goods, it has become a controversial issue in the country due to environmental, social, and political concerns.

The recent developments in July 2024 surrounding the Tren Maya project have sparked significant concern, prompting inspections to assess the impact. Flooding in the Bacalar region in Quintana Roo has been widely attributed to the project, causing severe disruptions to local homes and businesses. Engineers involved in the construction have raised alarms about widespread improvisation and the high incidence of accidents, questioning the safety and planning of the project. Local ejidatarios (communal land owners) have blocked access to construction sites in protest against land use and environmental concerns. Additionally, some construction segments have continued in defiance of court orders, exacerbating legal and environmental disputes. Furthermore, there are doubts about the project’s utility, given the low occupancy on the currently operational routes. Despite these challenges, and critics constantly questioning the long-term benefits and sustainability of the train, announcements about potential expansions of the Tren Maya and the Interoceanic Train indicate ongoing governmental support and plans for the project’s future.

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