Overview
- SEMARNAT issued a technical rejection of Royal Caribbean’s environmental permit, publishing 33 reasons that halted key components of the Perfect Day proposal and prompting the company to withdraw parts of the project.
- Federal environment chief Alicia Bárcena visited Mahahual this week to hear more than 300 residents, fishers and business owners who were sharply divided between support for the investment and worries about damage to mangroves, reefs and the karst aquifer.
- President Claudia Sheinbaum announced work on a special decree on June 5 that aims to steer Mahahual toward ecotourism and keep benefits in the community while preventing future ‘gran turismo’ developments.
- The draft decree would give SEMARNAT authority to review permits and changes of land use, order preventive measures against mangrove removal and reef harm, and require environmental diagnostics before approving large projects.
- Authorities and the state government pledged coordinated investments and programs—including nearly 197.5 million pesos for local works and circular‑economy efforts to manage sargassum and waste—with the caveat that any future proposals must meet environmental requirements and include community consultation.