After small turnout for referendum, AMLO declares huge public support for Mayan Train

Photo: Twitter / trenmaya

Citizens in five Mexican states impacted by the planned Mayan Train have given the megaproject the go-ahead.

Although the influx of voters was small, a majority of the attendees were apparently in support of the Mayan Train, the government said. Just 100,000 people of the region’s more than 11 million voted.

The government reported overwhelming support in the region. Support reportedly ranged from 99 percent voting in favor in Campeche to 85 percent support in Quintana Roo.

In a participatory exercise task, the Mexican government consulted in five states about the Mayan Train megaproject, a consultation of which they reported “wide participation.” The presidency also declared Saturday’s consultation with indigenous communities a huge success.

Both the National Fund for Tourism Promotion (Fonatur) and the National Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI), managed to have 5,193 ejidatarios sign minutes in which they expressed their consent to what appears to be one of the ambitions projects of 4Q.

In Merida, if a polling station installed on the Plaza Grande as promised, it was lost in the hustle and bustle of Sunday’s open-air market. No signs were apparent to direct voters to the voting site.

Tenders for the next stages of the project are due to open in January, but it’s unclear how many opinions and suggestions from this weekend’s consultations will be taken into account.

With information from Al Jazeera

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