Maya community rights and territorial disputes in Mexico

Maya communities in the Yucatán Peninsula are engaging in legal and political opposition to state actions regarding their rights and territories.

Initially, collectives from Yucatan, Campeche, and Quintana Roo expressed opposition to the proposed General Law of Indigenous and Afro-Mexican Peoples and Communities. While recognizing certain protections for traditional knowledge and language, groups such as the Colectivo Maya de los Chenes warned that the law maintains “excessive state tutelage.” Specific concerns were raised regarding the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI) determining community recognition, which critics argue undermines autonomy, and the potential for state-designated strategic areas to restrict access to natural resources.

Following these legislative concerns, Maya communities in areas including Yaxcopoil, San José Tzal, Tebec, and Hotzuc have launched legal actions against the expansion of stone quarrying operations. Supported by the Utsil Kuxtal Human Rights Center, residents have filed complaints with various environmental and cultural authorities, accusing federal and state officials of failing to protect their rights to territory and indigenous consultation. These legal challenges target specific companies, such as CYPSSA-Península and PROSER, citing the proximity of extraction sites to population centers and archaeological sites.