• COURT: A Mexican federal judge granted a definitive suspension against the construction of the Mayan Train to a small community of Maya and Ch’ol indigenous peoples in the state of Campeche while the merits of a larger challenge are discussed.
• DECISION: “This court considers that the fact that the Mayan Train can generate alteration in the land, forests, flora, fauna, natural resources, the environment, biodiversity, water, health, among others..that would undoubtedly cause irreparable damage to the community”, the judge said.
• WELCOME: Mexico’s national tourism trust (FONATUR) welcomed the judge suspension saying that this only applies to a small geographical location in Campeche. With a price tag of USD 6.3 billion, the Mayan Train is a nearly 950-miles long project expected to be completed in 2023/2024.
• INTERNATIONAL: In December, the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said the consultation process of indigenous communities along the Mayan Train route did not meet all the international standards for a free, prior, informed and culturally appropriate process.
