Bacalar, Q.R. — An organized protest in the town of Bacalar was held Wednesday evening. The large group of angry residents are demanding answers from Sedena after trees were felled and a development started.
Last week, Sedena (Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional) personnel began cutting trees on a waterfront area of the Laguna de los Siete Colores. The land, which is reportedly owned by Sedena, is being prepped for a housing project.
More than 200 square meters of laguna facing land was void of its vegetation and land compacted to make way for a building. The development is located on Avenida Costera, across from the iconic Fort San Felipe.
The Wednesday demonstration was organized in response to concerns about the environmental impact that landfilling could have on Laguna de los Siete Colores, a vital ecosystem for the region.
Protestors carried banners, expressing their rejection of the project, warning of the damage it could cause to the lagoon, which already faces challenges from human activities including boating.
“We are here to defend our home and our environment. Laguna de los Siete Colores is a heritage that we must protect, not only for its beauty, but also for its ecological and economic value,” stated one of the protestors.
The protesters also shared their concern that the development could restrict access to one of Bacalar’s main attractions.
According to leaked information, Sedena is filling the land for the construction of a hotel to accommodate visiting high-ranking military personnel. Local authorities have not commented publicly on the Sedena (Secretary of National Defense) construction project.
