Mexico President Sheinbaum orders land seizure for AIFA‑Pachuca train and protects Mahahual ecotourism

President Claudia Sheinbaum signed a decree that temporarily occupies 99 private properties covering more than 110,000 square meters in Hidalgo and the State of Mexico. The land will be used for the construction of the Interurban AIFA‑Pachuca passenger rail line, linking the Felipe Ángeles International Airport to Pachuca, and owners will receive compensation under expropriation law.

In a separate decree announced on World Environment Day, Sheinbaum granted Mahahual in Quintana Roo special protection to limit development to community‑led ecotourism projects. The measure includes new circular‑economy programmes to curb single‑use plastics, a state investment of 197.5 million pesos to turn sargassum into economic opportunity, and coordination with local residents and the environment ministry.

Both decrees are presented as part of Mexico’s broader strategy to improve regional connectivity, promote sustainable tourism, and foster economic development while safeguarding environmental assets.