# Yucatán Las Dunas protests and federal judicial suspension > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/yucatn-las-dunas-development-protests > Updated: 2026-08-24T20:54:01.000Z. Sources: 21. Developments: 7. In late July 2026, residents of Chuburná and the group Salvemos las Dunas protested the Las Dunas tourism project after heavy equipment began clearing protective sand dunes. Activists argued the dunes shield the shoreline, prevent erosion, and support local biodiversity, urging the state to ask federal agencies (Semarnat and Profepa) to verify permits. A march in Mérida on 29 July accused developer Designia Desarrollos and owner Víctor Manuel Abraham Palomo of benefiting from a corruption network involving state, municipal, and federal officials. Profepa placed closure seals on the site the same day, suspending construction. On 31 July, Movimiento Ciudadano filed a popular complaint citing threats to 271 species, including the endangered hawksbill turtle, and alleged violations of the Mexican Constitution and the Escazú Agreement. Inspections from 28–30 July documented the removal of 1.3 ha of vegetation—about 30.8% of the authorized land-use change—and the presence of protected species like the endangered cactus Mammillaria gaumeri and the scissor-tailed hummingbird, which were omitted from the project's impact statement. Profepa ordered a total temporary shutdown on 2 August and opened an administrative proceeding for possible breaches of the General Law for Sustainable Forest Development. In early August, former Yucatán Secretary of Sustainable Development Sayda Rodríguez Gómez denied issuing permits, stating authorization was a federal decision. Investigations identified businessman José Chapur Zahoul, president of Grupo Palace Resorts and chair of the state Beneficence Public Patrimony board, as a main shareholder. By mid-August, the controversy escalated politically; Rodríguez Gómez, now a PAN deputy, faced pressure because her signature appeared on state authorizations during her previous tenure, leading to reports that she may seek a leave of absence. On 24 August, a federal judge issued a provisional suspension against the project, halting construction and land-use licenses. ## Claims - Designia Desarrollos, owned by Víctor Manuel Abraham Palomo, is the developer of the Las Dunas project. (corroborated by 2 sources) - State, municipal and federal authorities granted permits for the Las Dunas project, including approvals from Semarnat and Profepa. (corroborated by 2 sources) - A protest march was scheduled in Mérida to oppose the Las Dunas project. (single source) - The Las Dunas development plans to build 138 apartments across 14 towers on a 92,017‑square‑metre site. (single source) - Profepa placed closure seals on the Las Dunas site on a Thursday, halting construction. (single source) - An investigation into the Las Dunas project is recorded under case file PFPA/YUC/092/IA/2026 and investigation number ExpPFPA/3712/354/0080‑26. (single source) - Semarnat initially denied the Las Dunas project in 2023 but approved it later after changes to the urban development plan. (single source) - Alleged corruption involving the state government of Mauricio Vila Dosal, Progreso mayor Julián Zacarías Curi, and federal agency heads José Alberto González Medina and Guillermo Porras Quevedo helped (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Las Dunas tourism project suspended by federal judge in Yucatán A federal judge in Yucatán suspended construction of the Las Dunas tourism project in Chuburná Puerto due to alleged failures in environmental public participation and community consultation. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/las-dunas-tourism-project-suspended-by-federal-judge-in-yucatn ### 2026-08-12: Las Dunas real estate controversy pressures PAN deputy in Yucatán The ‘Las Dunas’ real estate project in Yucatán is causing political tension for PAN deputy Sayda Rodríguez Gómez due to environmental concerns and her role in authorizing the development. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/las-dunas-real-estate-controversy-pressures-pan-deputy-in-yucatn ### 2026-08-04: Las Dunas real estate project in Yucatán faces scrutiny as ex‑secretary Sayda Rodríguez denies issuing permits Yucatán’s Las Dunas resort project is under fire as ex‑secretary Sayda Rodríguez says she never issued permits, while Profepa shuts the site for environmental violations and links emerge to businessman José Chă 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/las-dunas-real-estate-project-in-yucatn-faces-scrutiny-as-exsecretary-sayda-rodrguez-denies-issuing- ### 2026-08-02: Mexico suspends Las Dunas tourism project after environmental violations Profepa halted the Las Dunas tourism project in Yucatán after finding illegal clearing of 1.3 ha and damage to protected flora and fauna, prompting calls for a permanent shutdown. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-profepa-shuts-down-las-dunas-tourist-project-over-protected-species ### 2026-07-31: Mexico's Profepa orders halt to Yucatán 'Dunas' coastal development Profepa placed temporary closure seals on the 'Dunas' coastal development in Yucatán after Movimiento Ciudadano filed a complaint alleging environmental damage to dunes and endangered species, demanding a full, 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexicos-profepa-orders-halt-to-yucatn-dunas-coastal-development ### 2026-07-29: Las Dunas real estate project on Yucatán’s Chuburná coast shut down amid protests and corruption claims Environmental groups protest the Las Dunas development in Chuburná, Yucatán; authorities have halted construction and opened a corruption investigation. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/las-dunas-real-estate-project-on-yucatns-chuburn-coast-shut-down-amid-protests-and-corruption-claims ### 2026-07-26: Yucatán protests against Las Dunas tourism project threaten coastal dunes Residents and the Salvemos las Dunas group in Chuburná, Yucatán, protest the Las Dunas tourism project, citing damage to critical dune ecosystems and urging federal agencies Semarnat and Profepa to halt thework 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yucatn-protests-against-las-dunas-tourism-project-threaten-coastal-dunes --- Cite as: Yucatán Las Dunas protests and federal judicial suspension. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/yucatn-las-dunas-development-protests