Mexico Cracks Down on Illegal Deforestation, Seizes Mennonite Properties

As of October 27th, 2025, the Mexican government has taken decisive action against illegal deforestation in the country's southeastern states. Federal officials have shut down a large area of land, spanning over 9,000 acres, that was illegally cleared by Mennonite communities in the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan.

The authorities have seized a range of farming and landscaping equipment, including tractors, backhoes, and drills, that were used to expand agricultural operations at the expense of the natural habitat. According to the Federal Environmental Protection Attorney, Mariana Boy Tamborrell, the government has filed 13 criminal complaints in relation to these illegal clearings and is committed to working with institutions at all levels to stop the destruction of Mexico's forests.

The Yucatan Peninsula is home to a diverse array of threatened wildlife, such as jaguars and the Mexican sheartail hummingbird. Maintaining the health of these mature forests is crucial for supporting biodiversity and protecting these species on the brink. The government's actions aim to reclaim the land and restore the native vegetation, though it will take time to undo the damage.

Mexico has seen a decrease in the rate of tree cover loss in recent years, thanks to legal protections, but the country still faces significant challenges. Campeche, in particular, has been hit the hardest by forest loss. The government is determined to address this issue and establish exemplary sanctions for those who destroy the country's natural resources.