• MILITARY: The López Obrador administration confirmed Tuesday that it will transfer total control over the 950-miles long Mayan Train to the Mexican military once the US $6.3 billion tourist and cargo rail line is completed. Train revenues are expected to help the military with easing its pension burden.
• PROJECTIONS: Intended to connect the Caribbean coastline with other areas in southeast Mexico, the Mayan Train’s construction relies entirely on public spending and is one of president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s pet projects. Government forecasts a daily passenger demand of 325,000.
• SPENDING: “The President wants the Mayan Train to contribute to the payment of these military pensions…so that they do not weigh on public spending”, said Rogelio Jimenez Pons, head of the National Fund for Tourism Promotion (FONATUR), the agency in charge of developing the project.
• CONTROVERSIAL: Despite mayor concerns by conservationists and indigenous groups, López Obrador has pushed forward with the train across the Yucatán Peninsula’s rainforest with the goal of starting operation in 2023. The military were already in charge of building three rail line segments.
