Environmental authorities halt unauthorized land use in Mexico and Ecuador

Environmental authorities in Mexico and Ecuador have taken action to halt unauthorized land use and deforestation. In Zacatlán, Puebla, Mexico, the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (Profepa) has ordered the total and temporary closure of two forest plots in Maquixtla. The intervention follows the detection of unauthorized land subdivision for housing and rustic land sales covering approximately 33,816 square meters. These activities were being conducted without the necessary permits from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat).

In Quito, Ecuador, citizen protests successfully pressured authorities to suspend a logging operation in the Pichincha area. The company PROEXEQ had begun clearing 3.14 hectares of vegetation in the El Bosque sector under a license issued by the Ministry of Agriculture (MAGAP). Local residents and environmental officials argued that the forest serves as a vital natural barrier against landslides and floods, and is part of the Pichincha–Atacazo Special Natural Intervention and Recovery Area. The incident has highlighted institutional friction between MAGAP and Quito's Secretariat of Environment regarding the management of protected territories.