Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s visit to Cancun marked an important moment in the region, as he announced the new Route Cancun-Palenque for the Mayan train.
The President arrived in Cancun around 6:30 in the morning and expressed his happiness at the start of work on this new railway line. He also extended his New Year’s wishes to everyone present.
To ensure the president’s safety during his visit, a security operation was orchestrated by the Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena) and the National Guard (GN). Just ten minutes after President López Obrador’s arrival, the Mayan train was prepared for departure.
On board the train were the governors of Quintana Roo, Mara Lezama Espinosa, and Yucatan, Mauricio Vila, who had arrived an hour earlier. Also present were other federal authorities, including the head of Sedena, Luis Crescencio Sandoval.
Supporters of President López Obrador gathered at the Cancun station, although they were unable to catch a glimpse of him as he quickly boarded the train.
The recently opened section of the Mayan Train, which runs from Cancun to Palenque, covers approximately 800 kilometers and requires approximately 12 hours of travel time. It is worth noting that Mayan train services were suspended on December 31, while only the President’s trip was available on that day.
Service routes are expected to resume in January 2024, especially on the routes from Cancun to the city of San Francisco, Campeche. Governor Mara Lezama emphasized the historical significance of the Cancun-Palenque route, stating that it would promote economic development in the beneficiary states.
According to the Mexican government, Tram 5 South, located in Cancun, is the last point to be inaugurated, with plans to open it in February 2024. The ongoing development of the Mayan Train Station in Cancun is aimed at improving infrastructure and waiting room facilities to accommodate passengers.
