Mexican President’s ‘Mayan Train’ multi-billion dollar project dealt new legal blow By Reuters

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – A Mexican Courtroom ruling that indefinitely suspended development of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s flagship “Mayan Prepare” rail venture over environmental issues was welcomed by activists on Monday.

The 1,470-km (910-mile) railway venture, which has been trumpeted by Lopez Obrador as a cornerstone of his plans to develop the nation’s poorer southern states, goals to hyperlink vacationer sizzling spots and spur growth on the Yucatan Peninsula.

The court docket ruling states that Mexico’s Nationwide Tourism Promotion Fund’s (Fonatur) plans for the railway do “not adjust to the proceedings of the environmental influence analysis,” in line with a press release from Defending the Proper to a Secure Atmosphere (DMAS), an environmentalist group who argue the venture is inflicting deforestation and wildlife disruption.

The authorized dispute is centered on the 121-km (75-mile) “part 5” of the venture, connecting the resort cities of Cancun and Tulum in Quintana Roo state, the place development was initially suspended in April over a scarcity of environmental permits.

Fonatur stated in a press release on Monday that it was assured it might “overcome” the indefinite suspension, noting the Atmosphere Ministry was at present reviewing its environmental software for the multi-billion greenback railway.

The court docket’s ban on additional development stands “solely till the venture’s Environmental Affect Assertion…is absolutely resolved,” stated Fonatur.

Nonetheless, the ruling is a setback for Lopez Obrador, who has pledged to finish the railway by the top of 2023 and says the railway has created 105,000 jobs.

The federal government lately additionally clashed with environmentalists over a failed electrical energy reform invoice, which might have elevated funding in fossil fuels. [L1N2UK1I0]