Las Dunas
A court has granted another suspension against the Las Dunas development in Chuburná Puerto — this time challenging the municipal permits themselves. Residents argue they were never consulted before construction began. Above, a previous demonstration at the Monumento a la Patria in Mérida.Photo: Astrid Sánchez / La Jornada Maya
| |

Victory No. 3 for Foes of Las Dunas Beach Project

ByYucatán Magazine

A federal judge has granted a new suspension against the contested Las Dunas real estate development in Chuburná Puerto, this time targeting the municipal permits that allowed construction to move forward.

Residents of Chuburná Puerto, the collective Salvemos las Dunas and the organization Kanan Derechos Humanos won the provisional order after filing an amparo lawsuit arguing their environmental and public-participation rights were violated. The suit contends the Progreso municipal government should have held public consultations with Chuburná Puerto residents before issuing land-use, construction and operating permits for the project.

Las Dunas
Officials found significant damage to flora and fauna at the Las Dunas development in Chuburná, Yucatán.Photo: Courtesy

The plaintiffs argue that skipping that step violates international standards under the Escazú Agreement, a regional treaty Mexico has ratified that requires governments to give residents a voice before approving projects with environmental impact.

The Juzgado Primero de Distrito en Yucatán, the state’s first district court, granted the provisional suspension, ordering officials to halt enforcement of the construction license and land-use permit tied to the project, along with any other construction work affecting the surrounding environment. The order also directs authorities to design a consultation process for the development. Plaintiffs had to post a bond of MX$50,000, or roughly US$2,950, to keep the suspension in place.

In a statement, Salvemos las Dunas called the ruling “an initial victory for the defense of the territory and the environment,” while cautioning it marks only the beginning of a longer legal fight. The group said defending the coast requires ongoing spending on travel, legal filings and the bonds Mexican courts require to keep suspensions active, and it noted that courts often demand a similar guarantee again once a definitive suspension is issued. The collective has launched a fundraising campaign to cover legal costs.

The group also noted the new suspension adds to other enforcement actions against the project, including measures previously taken by Profepa, Mexico’s environmental protection agency.

Las Dunas, developed by Designia Desarrollos, has drawn sustained opposition since construction crews began clearing dune vegetation on a stretch of coastline near El Playón de Chuburná. Yucatán Magazine’s reporting on the project’s approval found that Semarnat, the federal environment secretariat, initially rejected the development in 2023, when Progreso’s urban development plan still classified the site as highly vulnerable. That classification was later revised, and state and federal agencies granted approvals in 2024 and 2025. Profepa has since posted closure seals at the site.

El Pueblo Mérida

City and state officials haven’t publicly responded to the latest court order. It remains unclear how the ruling will affect construction timelines or whether Progreso will appeal.=

Las Dunas: Fast Facts

  • Project: Las Dunas, developed by Designia Desarrollos
  • Location: Chuburná Puerto, Progreso municipality
  • Latest ruling: Provisional suspension against municipal permits, granted by the Juzgado Primero de Distrito en Yucatán
  • Plaintiffs: Chuburná Puerto residents, Colectiva Salvemos las Dunas, Kanan Derechos Humanos
  • Legal basis: Alleged violation of environmental and public-participation rights under the Escazú Agreement
  • Bond required: MX$50,000 (about US$2,950)
  • What’s suspended: Construction license, land-use permit and related construction activity

With new reporting from La Jornada Maya

Read More