Mennonite Communities Face Penal Charges and Possible Eviction Over Deforestation in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula

Web Editor

July 20, 2025

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Background on Mennonite Communities and Their Activities

The Mennonite communities are a German-derived, Anabaptist Christian group that migrated to Mexico in the late 1920s. Known for their agricultural skills, they have established thriving farms and settlements primarily in the Yucatan Peninsula, particularly in Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo states. These communities are predominantly involved in dairy farming, crop cultivation, and timber production.

Profepa’s Actions Against Illegal Deforestation

The Mexican environmental prosecution agency, the Procuraduría Federal de Protección al Ambiente (Profepa), has taken a firm stance against illegal deforestation activities carried out by the Mennonite communities in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Penal Charges Filed

Profepa, in collaboration with the Fiscalía Especializada en Investigación de Delitos Ambientales (FEIDA) of the FGR, has initiated seven penal charges against these communities for unauthorized land-use changes in extensive areas of Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo. Two denunciations have already been filed under Article 418 of the Federal Criminal Code, with five more expected.

Operations and Predio Clausuras

Six special operations were conducted across Calakmul and Hopelchén in Campeche, Tekax in Yucatan, and José María Morelos and Othón P. Blanco in Quintana Roo. These operations led to the closure of seven predios (properties): two in Campeche, two in Yucatan, and three in Quintana Roo. The affected areas span 702 hectares in Campeche, 606 hectares in Yucatán, and 1,300 hectares in Quintana Roo.

Potential Evictions and Environmental Restoration

Óscar Rébora, the state environmental secretary, mentioned that the government is working with Profepa to investigate further denunciations and possible evictions of Mennonites in the Bacalar municipality. Experts have warned that the aggressive pesticides used by these communities could severely impact the land’s restoration potential.

Intergovernmental Efforts

An intergovernmental table was established during the previous federal administration to address Mennonite-related issues, involving all three levels of government. Their initial action was securing one affected predio and placing official seals, ensuring legal enforcement of deforestation halt in José María Morelos, Othón P. Blanco, and Bacalar municipalities.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What are the Mennonite communities doing that has led to these penal charges? The Mennonite communities have been accused of unauthorized land-use changes, specifically deforestation, in extensive areas of the Yucatan Peninsula.
  • How many penal charges have been filed, and what are they based on? Seven penal charges have been initiated based on Article 418 of the Federal Criminal Code, which pertains to illegal land-use changes.
  • Which states were affected by these deforestation activities? The affected states are Campeche, Yucatan, and Quintana Roo.
  • What is the total area affected by these deforestation activities? The total affected area spans 2,608.9 hectares across the three states.
  • What are the potential consequences for the Mennonite communities? The communities face penal charges, possible evictions, and the need for environmental restoration of affected lands.