TULUM, México – Despite mounting legal challenges and environmental concerns, the construction of Tulum’s controversial seven-story Adamar Solimán apartment building in Solimán Bay remains. Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS) has been vocal in its opposition, citing multiple injunctions meant to halt progress due to the project’s proximity to a critical turtle nesting area.
The dispute began to gain public attention in late 2023 when DMAS pointed out that the project had commenced in November without the necessary environmental permits from the National Environmental Authority (Semarnat). By January, it was clear that the construction had started illegally and potentially disrupted the delicate ecosystem of the nearby marine wildlife.
On February 18, the Tulum municipal government issued a construction license, seemingly contradictory to earlier claims by DMAS that no such license had been granted. They revealed through a transparency request in March that there was no record of any permit being issued at the time. However, the municipality later contradicted this in April, affirming that all paperwork was in order and backdated to February.
Despite the Profepa (Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection) reportedly shutting down the site, there is no visible seal to confirm such an action, adding to the confusion and controversy surrounding the project.
The legal implications are severe. According to local laws, any construction project that proceeds without adherence to the proper licenses and regulations can lead to imprisonment of the responsible director from four to twelve and a half years and fines ranging from one thousand to ten thousand days’ wages. Additionally, the suspension from practicing their profession can be as long as the prison sentence.
Furthermore, contrary to existing regulations, the law is equally strict about urban crimes related to issuing permits. This includes land use authorization, construction viability, and other urban development activities that do not comply with Quintana Roo’s urban development and territorial planning laws.
This ongoing saga raises significant concerns about Tulum’s governance, environmental stewardship, and legal integrity. As the battle lines are drawn between developers, local authorities, and environmental advocates, the outcome of this case could set a precedent for future developments in the region, especially in areas as ecologically sensitive as Solimán Bay.
