Story perspectives

Mayan Train Project Faces Criticism Amid Local Struggles

4/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Mayan Train project in Mexico has faced challenges since its inauguration, with locals reporting little benefit.
In Quintana Roo, electricity access declined during construction, and many residents remain in poverty.
Ticket sales cover only 13% of operating costs, and hotels along the route remain largely empty.
President Claudia Sheinbaum defends the project as a success, while Nicolas Moreno, a beekeeper, cites unfulfilled promises and displacement from ancestral lands.

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Story summary

The Mayan Train project in Mexico has faced challenges since its inauguration, with locals reporting little benefit.
In Quintana Roo, electricity access declined during construction, and many residents remain in poverty.
Ticket sales cover only 13% of operating costs, and hotels along the route remain largely empty.
President Claudia Sheinbaum defends the project as a success, while Nicolas Moreno, a beekeeper, cites unfulfilled promises and displacement from ancestral lands.