Mexico declares Calica property in Quintana Roo a Natural Protected Area

In a move that opens a new front with the United States just six days before the end of his administration, the Mexican government has appropriated more than 53,000 hectares in Quintana Roo, where the U.S.-based company Sac-Tun, formerly known as Calica, a subsidiary of Vulcan Materials Company, operates.

Through a decree published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF), the federal government, led by President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, designated the Felipe Carrillo Puerto area as a Natural Protected Area (NPA).

The first step in this conflict occurred in 2022, when the President ordered a halt to all mining activities at the site, citing environmental damage. Security forces later occupied the facilities, and just last Monday, the area was officially declared a Natural Protected Area.

In response, Vulcan Materials announced the day after the takeover that it would take all available legal measures to defend its interests. The company also seeks over $1 billion in damages, a claim it has pursued since 2022, alleging harm caused by the Mexican government.

“This action deprives us of the use of our land, and we intend to defend ourselves using every legal option available,” Vulcan Materials said in a statement.

The company further claimed that the takeover violates Mexico’s commitments under the USMCA trade agreement.

“The expropriation of our company’s land and port is another escalation and a new violation of Mexico’s obligations under North American trade agreements, including the USMCA and other applicable investment treaties,” the statement read.

This latest dispute with the U.S. government follows a diplomatic pause initiated by President López Obrador on August 26, after U.S. and Canadian diplomats in Mexico raised concerns over judicial reforms recently enacted by his administration.

It is worth noting that the Mexican President had previously pledged to declare the land where the U.S. company operates a protected area, with or without a purchase agreement, to prevent further environmental damage from continuing.

Recent Disputes:

• - August 26: López Obrador declared a diplomatic pause with the U.S. and Canada.
• - September 19: AMLO accused the U.S. of contributing to violence in Sinaloa.
• - Last Monday: The government expropriated the land where Calica operated.

Nota publicada originalmente en El Heraldo de México