Thank you for articulating well the complex challenges and conundrum of the Tren Maya. Having lived in Yucatan for a year and a half...yes, the ecosystem is fragile there, there is still a lot of poverty among the Mayans, and the cenotes are a rare and precious thing, that I hope will not be adversely affected by the train. I cannot see how the train will bring more good than harm, but may it be so.
And a project estimated at 9.8 billion costing 28 billion instead...that is one heck of a cost overrun! AMLO has proclaimed how much economic growth it will bring....time will tell. Not seeing it yet. To my knowledge, most of the people hired for construction were NOT from the area...they were brought in and work for large companies based elsewhere in Mexico. One result of these workers coming in, at least in Progreso and I hear, in other parts of Yucatan has been to create more congestion and drive up housing prices. I have heard that various Mayan artifacts were discovered during the excavation and I hope they are handled appropriately. Thank you for this excellent article. PS I am a new Substacker myself and will be writing about my own adventures in Mexico and a whole lot more. I moved to the central highlands this past summer. Happy to find you writing here.
Ellen, what a pleasure to meet you here. Kindred spirits, I'd say. The entire 'tren' situation is maddening, imho. Having lived long on the Caribbean coast, rarely if ever were the locals chosen for jobs of any meaningful substance, no matter how large the projects might have been. Outsiders would come in from CDMX or elsewhere, w/ resumes and experience. The promises Amlo makes are exactly that, mere promises. But we know that. I wrote a longer article for a diff blog and not sure if you are aware but he brought in the military for construction - midway or earlier - so he didn't even have to pay that compensation and the final tally (or is it?) had, basically, free labor. Let's stay in touch. Again, I look forward to our continuing conversation. Saludos.
Thanks, yes, nice to meet here! And I am pretty sure I read your book when I first came to Yucatan.. No, I didnt know about using the military, somehow that makes it more egregious.
So gross. On another note, thanks for reading my travel memoir, Where the Sky is Born. What a long strange trip it's been. I've been writing fiction the last few years. (loosely based on fact).
This project is the result of not paying attention to history. The main reason Mayan state cities collapsed is because they drained and used all the fertile soil, which is not that big in the Yucatán peninsula.
How this white elephant will bring economic prosperity to the region? No idea. So far, no small or medium construction local company has benefited in any way from this project.
Twenty years ago, Luis Leon Ruiz proposed to break up el D.F. and bring technology and archeology centers here.
Because farming would destroy the ecosystem most of the food has to be imported to the region. bringing aerospace and technology centers and universities with the capacity to use patents developed in heir centers, that would improve the economy of the region.
Integration of the maya population into the social and political systems is due. How many Maya, Zapotec, or other native groups do you see directing medical centers or as governors or as general directors on those big high tourism hotel chains?
I totally agree. The line so often used, bringing jobs and building the economy, is a throw-away promise, so often used as a means to some political end.
From 1998-2000 my husband and I lived with our young children in Puerto Morelos (where we met Jeanine). Some of our fondest memories were loading up our old truck and exploring the jungle roads where we'd find remote and little-used cenotes. What fun we had swimming and exploring. This train will surely destroy all of that - if it's not destroyed already.
Hola Jennifer! I totally agree. I'd written a longer post for another publication earlier that was even more dire. I'll forward to you later. It broke my heart when I heard it was really happening.
There's so much to be concerned about reading this account, Jeanine. When asked in surveys, etc what my # 1 concern is I always answer: The Environment. My list of concerns is long but without the basic protection of our environment, Nature, Earth-- the rest of the social/political issues will be postscripts when we've ruined the planet utterly. I don't know very much about this rail line and I'm glad to have read your post. It leaves me with lingering worries about the trees, water, wildlife...all of it.
Thanks, Jeanine for passing along this great piece.
Thank you, Lucinda. Yes, it is very worrisome. I wrote a longer piece for another entity in which I go into more detail. I just pray the ground, which is literally shaky due to its geological structure, will hold. It could well concave onto the ancient rivers and cenotes. Time will tell.
I have a story in my collection in which cenotes play a major role set in the U.S. southwest. In my story which features The Bottomless Lakes in New Mexico I researched what exactly were these lakes I'd heard so much about and found to my surprise that they are actually a series of cenotes. Anyway, knowing a little bit about the formations now it kind of gave me shivers thinking about a major rail line traversing across a web of cenotes. Time will certainly tell
Hi Lucinda, I wrote a blog on my former platform about the Yucatán's cenotes and underground rivers. I will forward it to you tomorrow. Very few places (maybe that area is the only one, not sure) where this geological trait takes place. Due to, also, which I wrote about, the Chicxulub Crater, the asteroid hit that took out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. That article will post early April. (I'm filling my dance card, as you can tell). And it's located in the Gulf of Mexico. And I look forward to hearing your story!
Thank you for writing about this. I have had my doubts about this project even though I didn't have much information about it. Your article gave me a much broader picture and helped me understand why I had the doubts that I had. The train is now built, so I guess all we do is hope that it does benefit those it is promising to benefit.
Hi Esperanza, this is the condensed version. I wrote a longer post for another entity earlier. It alarms me. Maybe I'm stuck in the past, but the beauty of the Yucatán and Chiapas is the vast emptiness of it—jungle, the solitude. Of course I believe in more local jobs and economic advancement, but from what I've always seen, and w/ the great growth of the Riviera Maya over the past 2 decades, there is very little (if any) trickle-down for locals in the form of jobs or pay increases. People have been moving here from everywhere since the 90s, to Cancun and the Tulum Corridor -now called Riv-Maya. It's been a growth magnet and if their credentials better fit the job at hand, locals lose out. I just pray the cenotes and rivers and the ground itself can withstand the literal weight of these trains.
Wow, fascinating. I love that you included both points of view. Over the years, I've learned to look at environmental topics like this with much more nuance after reading 'Apocalypse Never' by Michael Shellenberger (highly recommend it to all environmentalists). There's such a fine line between balancing contemporary economic structures and conserving the environment. It's usually more complex than what meets the eye. Through this book I learned that a good environment depends greatly upon a healthy economy and social stability. I see both sides of the issue here, and hopefully if they proceed, the outcome of this railway is successful in its intention to improve the economy and livelihoods of all people affected by it, most importantly safely and regulated. Something to keep in our prayers for Mexico and its natives.
Diana, thanks for a very thoughtful view of this massive infrastructure project and the complexities involved. It's neither black nor white. And you're right, we can only hope that the train's overall environmental impact (much already felt) will not further corrode the fragile ecosystem over which it runs—cenotes and an ancient underground river system, including the world's longest underground river, that are a necessity to many Maya locals who live in the pueblos next to where the tracks are laid. I will for sure read Apocalypse Never, thanks for the lead!
Fascinating subject I knew nothing about, so thank you for brining it to my attention. Sounds very problematic, but sadly a little money talks louder than the voices of indigenous people (all over the world), so I am not too hopeful that changes will be made.
It's been a mad dash on Amlo's part to finish before his term ends later this year. He also pushed through the 3 decade concept of a 'Tulum' Intl Airport which is now open, but much closer to Felipe Carrillo Puerto. I doubt that the projects will create a plethora of new jobs, as always promised. And those already at risk will no doubt lose even more.
Nice overview of the project. I consider myself in the soft "anti Mayan train" camp. I'm not passionately against it, but just sort of think it may not have been a well thought-out project. If they had gone all-electric, I might be more in favor of it. Not that my opinion means anything lol.
Thank you. It's controversial in the Yucatan for sure. Some remote pyramid sites like stunning Palenque (Chiapas) will be forever changed. Joni Mitchell's song comes to mind.
Thanks for the restack!
Thank you for articulating well the complex challenges and conundrum of the Tren Maya. Having lived in Yucatan for a year and a half...yes, the ecosystem is fragile there, there is still a lot of poverty among the Mayans, and the cenotes are a rare and precious thing, that I hope will not be adversely affected by the train. I cannot see how the train will bring more good than harm, but may it be so.
And a project estimated at 9.8 billion costing 28 billion instead...that is one heck of a cost overrun! AMLO has proclaimed how much economic growth it will bring....time will tell. Not seeing it yet. To my knowledge, most of the people hired for construction were NOT from the area...they were brought in and work for large companies based elsewhere in Mexico. One result of these workers coming in, at least in Progreso and I hear, in other parts of Yucatan has been to create more congestion and drive up housing prices. I have heard that various Mayan artifacts were discovered during the excavation and I hope they are handled appropriately. Thank you for this excellent article. PS I am a new Substacker myself and will be writing about my own adventures in Mexico and a whole lot more. I moved to the central highlands this past summer. Happy to find you writing here.
Ellen, what a pleasure to meet you here. Kindred spirits, I'd say. The entire 'tren' situation is maddening, imho. Having lived long on the Caribbean coast, rarely if ever were the locals chosen for jobs of any meaningful substance, no matter how large the projects might have been. Outsiders would come in from CDMX or elsewhere, w/ resumes and experience. The promises Amlo makes are exactly that, mere promises. But we know that. I wrote a longer article for a diff blog and not sure if you are aware but he brought in the military for construction - midway or earlier - so he didn't even have to pay that compensation and the final tally (or is it?) had, basically, free labor. Let's stay in touch. Again, I look forward to our continuing conversation. Saludos.
Thanks, yes, nice to meet here! And I am pretty sure I read your book when I first came to Yucatan.. No, I didnt know about using the military, somehow that makes it more egregious.
So gross. On another note, thanks for reading my travel memoir, Where the Sky is Born. What a long strange trip it's been. I've been writing fiction the last few years. (loosely based on fact).
This project is the result of not paying attention to history. The main reason Mayan state cities collapsed is because they drained and used all the fertile soil, which is not that big in the Yucatán peninsula.
How this white elephant will bring economic prosperity to the region? No idea. So far, no small or medium construction local company has benefited in any way from this project.
Twenty years ago, Luis Leon Ruiz proposed to break up el D.F. and bring technology and archeology centers here.
Because farming would destroy the ecosystem most of the food has to be imported to the region. bringing aerospace and technology centers and universities with the capacity to use patents developed in heir centers, that would improve the economy of the region.
Integration of the maya population into the social and political systems is due. How many Maya, Zapotec, or other native groups do you see directing medical centers or as governors or as general directors on those big high tourism hotel chains?
I totally agree. The line so often used, bringing jobs and building the economy, is a throw-away promise, so often used as a means to some political end.
From 1998-2000 my husband and I lived with our young children in Puerto Morelos (where we met Jeanine). Some of our fondest memories were loading up our old truck and exploring the jungle roads where we'd find remote and little-used cenotes. What fun we had swimming and exploring. This train will surely destroy all of that - if it's not destroyed already.
Hola Jennifer! I totally agree. I'd written a longer post for another publication earlier that was even more dire. I'll forward to you later. It broke my heart when I heard it was really happening.
I greatly appreciated this article. Excellent job covering such a complicated & controversial project!
Thank you Lana!
There's so much to be concerned about reading this account, Jeanine. When asked in surveys, etc what my # 1 concern is I always answer: The Environment. My list of concerns is long but without the basic protection of our environment, Nature, Earth-- the rest of the social/political issues will be postscripts when we've ruined the planet utterly. I don't know very much about this rail line and I'm glad to have read your post. It leaves me with lingering worries about the trees, water, wildlife...all of it.
Thanks, Jeanine for passing along this great piece.
Thank you, Lucinda. Yes, it is very worrisome. I wrote a longer piece for another entity in which I go into more detail. I just pray the ground, which is literally shaky due to its geological structure, will hold. It could well concave onto the ancient rivers and cenotes. Time will tell.
I have a story in my collection in which cenotes play a major role set in the U.S. southwest. In my story which features The Bottomless Lakes in New Mexico I researched what exactly were these lakes I'd heard so much about and found to my surprise that they are actually a series of cenotes. Anyway, knowing a little bit about the formations now it kind of gave me shivers thinking about a major rail line traversing across a web of cenotes. Time will certainly tell
Hi Lucinda, I wrote a blog on my former platform about the Yucatán's cenotes and underground rivers. I will forward it to you tomorrow. Very few places (maybe that area is the only one, not sure) where this geological trait takes place. Due to, also, which I wrote about, the Chicxulub Crater, the asteroid hit that took out the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. That article will post early April. (I'm filling my dance card, as you can tell). And it's located in the Gulf of Mexico. And I look forward to hearing your story!
Thank you for writing about this. I have had my doubts about this project even though I didn't have much information about it. Your article gave me a much broader picture and helped me understand why I had the doubts that I had. The train is now built, so I guess all we do is hope that it does benefit those it is promising to benefit.
Hi Esperanza, this is the condensed version. I wrote a longer post for another entity earlier. It alarms me. Maybe I'm stuck in the past, but the beauty of the Yucatán and Chiapas is the vast emptiness of it—jungle, the solitude. Of course I believe in more local jobs and economic advancement, but from what I've always seen, and w/ the great growth of the Riviera Maya over the past 2 decades, there is very little (if any) trickle-down for locals in the form of jobs or pay increases. People have been moving here from everywhere since the 90s, to Cancun and the Tulum Corridor -now called Riv-Maya. It's been a growth magnet and if their credentials better fit the job at hand, locals lose out. I just pray the cenotes and rivers and the ground itself can withstand the literal weight of these trains.
Wow, fascinating. I love that you included both points of view. Over the years, I've learned to look at environmental topics like this with much more nuance after reading 'Apocalypse Never' by Michael Shellenberger (highly recommend it to all environmentalists). There's such a fine line between balancing contemporary economic structures and conserving the environment. It's usually more complex than what meets the eye. Through this book I learned that a good environment depends greatly upon a healthy economy and social stability. I see both sides of the issue here, and hopefully if they proceed, the outcome of this railway is successful in its intention to improve the economy and livelihoods of all people affected by it, most importantly safely and regulated. Something to keep in our prayers for Mexico and its natives.
Diana, thanks for a very thoughtful view of this massive infrastructure project and the complexities involved. It's neither black nor white. And you're right, we can only hope that the train's overall environmental impact (much already felt) will not further corrode the fragile ecosystem over which it runs—cenotes and an ancient underground river system, including the world's longest underground river, that are a necessity to many Maya locals who live in the pueblos next to where the tracks are laid. I will for sure read Apocalypse Never, thanks for the lead!
Fascinating subject I knew nothing about, so thank you for brining it to my attention. Sounds very problematic, but sadly a little money talks louder than the voices of indigenous people (all over the world), so I am not too hopeful that changes will be made.
It's been a mad dash on Amlo's part to finish before his term ends later this year. He also pushed through the 3 decade concept of a 'Tulum' Intl Airport which is now open, but much closer to Felipe Carrillo Puerto. I doubt that the projects will create a plethora of new jobs, as always promised. And those already at risk will no doubt lose even more.
Que lastima!
Nice overview of the project. I consider myself in the soft "anti Mayan train" camp. I'm not passionately against it, but just sort of think it may not have been a well thought-out project. If they had gone all-electric, I might be more in favor of it. Not that my opinion means anything lol.
Nice subtitle 🙂
Thank you. It's controversial in the Yucatan for sure. Some remote pyramid sites like stunning Palenque (Chiapas) will be forever changed. Joni Mitchell's song comes to mind.
indeed!