Mexico Supreme Court to rule on Xcaret's use of Maya symbols

Mexico’s Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) has agreed to analyze the merits of a legal dispute involving Grupo Xcaret and the use of Maya cultural symbols in its hotels and tourist parks.

The court exercised its power to reassume jurisdiction following requests from Ministers Lenia Batres Guadarrama and Irving Espinosa Betanzos. The central question is whether Xcaret’s contract with the Gran Consejo Maya is sufficient to authorize the use of indigenous iconography, or if the company must consult the various communities and authorities that constitute the Maya people.

The conflict began in June 2022 when members of the Maya people filed complaints with the National Institute of Copyright (Indautor) regarding the alleged unauthorized use of cultural heritage and copyright infringement. While Xcaret reached an agreement with the Gran Consejo Maya of Quintana Roo, other claimants have continued the litigation. The ruling could establish a legal precedent regarding who holds the authority to permit the use and exploitation of indigenous cultural heritage.