Background on Key Figures and Projects
Claudia Sheinbaum, the President of Mexico, recently clarified that the extension of the Tren Interoceánico del Istmo de Tehuantepec towards Guatemala will be constructed by the latter country under its own standards and regulations.
During a meeting with Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo on August 15, Sheinbaum emphasized the importance of ensuring that connectivity projects, including the Tren Maya, align with the conservation goals of the Greater Maya Forest. The Tren Maya aims to connect Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize in the future.
President Arévalo of Guatemala expressed his country’s readiness to join the rail and energy interconnection with Mexico during their meeting. He highlighted successful bilateral cooperation in electricity, which has brought power to thousands of Guatemalan families in remote areas. Arévalo also praised the reactivation of the high-level security group, comprising foreign ministries and defense and interior ministries from both nations.
Trinational Collaboration and Conservation Efforts
On August 18, during her morning press conference, Sheinbaum referred to a historic meeting in Calakmul with Belize’s Prime Minister Juan Antonio Briceño and Guatemala’s President to declare the Greater Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor.
The Greater Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor is a trinational project encompassing 5.7 million hectares dedicated to environmental conservation and the development of indigenous communities.
Sheinbaum Pardo has previously described this region as “a lung for the planet, a living space for thousands of species, and an invaluable cultural legacy.” She also stressed the need to preserve the Maya Forest, the continent’s second-most important natural reserve after the Amazon, by balancing biodiversity protection with the well-being of local communities.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Claudia Sheinbaum? Claudia Sheinbaum is the President of Mexico City and serves as the Head of Government for Mexico’s capital.
- What is the Tren Interoceánico del Istmo de Tehuantepec? It is a proposed railway line that will cross the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, connecting Mexico’s southern and northern coasts. The project aims to boost trade and connectivity between Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean.
- Why is Guatemala involved in the extension? Guatemala will construct the extension of the Tren Interoceánico within its territory, adhering to its own regulations and standards.
- What is the Tren Maya project? The Tren Maya is a long-term railway project that aims to connect Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It will pass through the Greater Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor, promoting sustainable development and conservation.
- What is the Greater Maya Forest Biocultural Corridor? It is a trinational initiative spanning 5.7 million hectares, focusing on environmental conservation and the development of indigenous communities in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.
