Mexico suspends Las Dunas tourism project after environmental violations

The Federal Prosecutor for Environmental Protection (Profepa) ordered a temporary total suspension of construction on the Las Dunas tourism complex in Chuburná Puerto, Progreso, Yucatán. Inspections carried out on 28‑30 July found that work had progressed to the removal of 1.3 hectares of vegetation – about 30.8 % of the area authorized for a change of land‑use – and that protected species were present in roughly half of the cleared zone. Species identified included cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), the endangered cactus Mammillaria gaumeri, iguana rayada, matraca yucateca and colibrí tijereta, all listed under NOM‑059‑SEMARNAT. Profefa noted that the flora species were omitted from the project's environmental impact statement and rescue plan, constituting possible infractions of the General Law on Sustainable Forest Development. The agency imposed the suspension and opened an administrative proceeding to assess penalties.

Political parties responded, with Movimiento Ciudadano demanding a permanent shutdown of Las Dunas, citing irreversible damage to the coastal dune ecosystem and alleged omissions in the impact assessment. The case highlights tensions between development interests and Mexico’s environmental protection framework.