Mayan ruins in Mexico inaccessible due to cartel violence and land dispute, says report

Visitors are unable to access at least two prominent Mayan ruin sites due to Mexican drug cartel violence and a land dispute, as reported by The Associated Press.

The Yaxchilán ruin site in Chiapas has been completely closed off, acknowledged by Mexico’s government, due to the surge in drug cartel violence last year. Additionally, the pyramids of Tonina are currently inaccessible because a landowner has closed off access over a dispute, according to AP.

Tourist guides, requesting anonymity for their safety, revealed that two other sites can only be reached by passing through gang checkpoints, even though the government claims they are open to visitors.

One of the guides expressed the challenges, stating, “It’s as if you told me to go to the Gaza Strip, right?”

The tour guide highlighted a permanent gang checkpoint on the road to Lagartero, a Mayan pyramid complex surrounded by turquoise lagoons. He explained the demanding process at the checkpoint, including providing identification, checking if the visitor is a local resident, taking their cellphone and demanding the sign-in code, and inspecting their conversations to determine gang affiliations. The guide emphasized the potential danger, as rival groups could initiate a gun battle at any given time.

Despite the challenges reported by tour guides, the government maintains a stance downplaying gang violence, in line with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s policy, even as cartels expand their control in Mexico, according to AP.

The National Institute of Anthropology and History, in response to the concerns, stated, “Bonampak and Lagartero are open to the public. It is false, biased, and irresponsible to say that these archaeological sites are in danger from drug traffickers.”

In January 2023, Mayan descendants protested by blocking roads leading to the Mayan ruins of Chichén Itzá for over five consecutive days. Sellers, demanding more access to the complex to sell their products, set up protest lines. The dispute highlighted issues faced by the Mayan people, including poverty and the preservation of their culture and history in heavily touristed areas.

While the government asserts the safety of archaeological sites, reports from the field reveal challenges that tourists and locals face due to cartel violence and territorial disputes. The situation underscores the complex dynamics in regions with historical significance and tourism appeal, where the clash between cultural heritage, economic interests, and security concerns creates ongoing challenges for both authorities and communities.