Mexico’s Maya Train underway, despite environmental concerns

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador hailed his flagship project as a “magnum opus” built in “record time” – Copyright Mexican Presidency/AFP Handout

Mexico’s Maya tourist train glided into action on Friday, promising prosperity for one of the country’s poorest regions, but tainted by allegations of environmental devastation.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador hailed his flagship project as a “magnum opus” built in “record time” ahead of the inauguration during which he boarded one of its green-and-white cars for the train’s first run between the colonial city of Campeche and the Caribbean resort of Cancun.

Cancun is Mexico’s leading tourist destination and welcomed 34 million foreign visitors between January and October, according to official figures