Maya train faces new legal challenge

A Mexican court has ordered the temporary suspension of construction works on the fifth stretch of the Maya train project that runs 121km from Cancún to Tulum in Quintana Roo state. 

The court ruled in favor of the Selvame del Tren NGO that has been filing appeals against the megaproject since last year, after considering its environmental-harm claims as valid, local media reported Thursday. 

The government has not confirmed the suspension and it is still unknown whether works led by defense ministry Sedena continue. However, as it has happened on several other occasions, the federal government might continue construction under the argument that the project is considered a matter of national security. 

Since construction for the stretch began, several appeals to halt it have been filed. Yet, national tourism board Fonatur, in charge of the 1,500km project, has managed to plow ahead despite the legal battles. 

The board assigned 30.4bn pesos (US$1.6bn) to Sedena to continue works. The ministry then hired ICA, Mota-Engil, and Azvindi to build the stretch.