A significant conflict has erupted in Mérida, Yucatán, where residents are fighting to stop the destruction of Dzoyilá, a Preclassic Maya city. Despite the site being listed in the state’s Archaeological Atlas and possessing protected status as a significant historical and biological area, bulldozers have begun clearing land for the construction of a Chedraui supermarket and commercial plaza. The project, led by Inmobiliaria Kira, S. A. de C. V., is moving forward on land historically known for its archaeological structures, including platforms, mounds, and human remains.
For over two decades, a neighborhood committee has actively campaigned to preserve these sixteen hectares of low jungle and ruins, envisioning the space as a public ecocultural park. Tensions peaked in 2026 when machinery entered the site, leading residents to document the destruction of previously restored structures. Community members report that authorities, including the mayor of Mérida, Cecilia Patrón Laviada, have stated they cannot intervene to stop the project, despite residents’ requests for dialogue and the designation of the area as a public utility.
The case has also drawn sharp criticism toward the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH). Neighbors expressed deep disappointment after an INAH expert, who had previously worked to restore the site, issued technical findings in February 2026 that allowed for the construction to proceed on a large portion of the property, declaring that no significant archaeological vestiges remained in the designated development area.
Legal efforts to halt the construction, including an amparo lawsuit filed by residents, have faced significant setbacks. A district court rejected the appeal, raising concerns over the judicial recognition of the plaintiffs’ Maya identity and their standing to sue for the protection of cultural heritage. As the construction proceeds, the neighborhood committee continues to push for environmental impact disclosures and a formal halt to the works, emphasizing that the project prioritizes private commercial interests over the preservation of vital biodiversity and the ancestral memory of the Yucatán.
Source: https://piedepagina.mx
