Wednesday, October 1, 2025

Plan to extend Maya Train to Guatemala is full steam ahead after bilateral talks

Mexico and Guatemala have confirmed their intention to extend the Maya Train to Guatemala following a series of talks between Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and her Guatemalan counterpart Bernardo Arévalo. 

According to both leaders, the train would also expand into Belize

“If we, the three countries, manage to build a development hub for the well-being of our people, it will be a completely different vision for Guatemala and Mexico,” Sheinbaum said, adding that she hopes the rail connection into the Central American countries will be used for both passenger and cargo transportation.

Although Guatemala lacks an active rail network, Arévalo said in a press conference that a connection with Mexico would have “enormous potential” for the development of both nations and the region. 

“Connecting the Maya Train with Guatemala and eventually Belize is a vision we share, and for this we agreed to promote the start of trinational negotiations, as well as the respective feasibility studies,” he said.

Arévalo said that some of the agreements that he signed with his Mexican counterpart include the protection of Guatemala’s natural resources

Much of northern Guatemala is protected forest, so the Maya Train would have to connect indirectly via Ciudad Hidalgo in Chiapas, Sheinbaum has said previously. (Pau de Valencia/Unsplash)

“We view the Maya Train as a development solution that not only does not contradict, but rather strengthens the search for a sustainable model that clearly protects the country’s biological, natural and cultural heritage,” Arévalo said, adding that “At all times, it has been very clear that the Maya Train will not cross any existing reserve areas.”  

Meanwhile, Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceño said that the Maya Train would facilitate commerce between the three countries, with his country playing a key role. 

“We need to continue to make the point that Belize is the link for Mexico and Guatemala,” he stressed

Overall, the bilateral meeting between the leaders of Mexico and Guatemala addressed public investment in projects aimed at ensuring economic development in regions where northbound migration is prevalent. 

“People, in general, don’t migrate for pleasure; they migrate out of necessity,” Sheinbaum noted. “They don’t leave their towns for adventure but rather due to economic necessity.” 

With reports from El Universal, El Financiero, EFE and El País

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
panel at tourism fair in china

Mexico hosts its first tourism fair in Beijing, seeking more Chinese visitors

0
Last year, Mexican airports served approximately 200,000 Chinese tourists, making China one of Mexico’s largest sources of tourism from Asia.
Gov. Mara Lezama

Quintana Roo shines at the 2025 World Travel Awards in Cancún

0
It's no secret that Mexico has a plethora of tourist destinations worthy of international attention, but Quintana Roo can claim to be first among equals after it took home the lion's share of this year's awards.
Tulum beachfront

15 hotels and beach clubs in Tulum agree to grant free beach access following Jaguar Park controversy

3
The move comes after hundreds of Tulum residents protested for free beach access following the imposition of a new entrance fee for previously free beaches at the Jaguar National Park. 
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity