U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) have called on Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) to end his administration’s campaign to wrongfully seize land owned by Vulcan Materials Company, an Alabama-based construction aggregates producer.
Last week, AMLO’s government issued a declaration that would designate Vulcan’s land and port in Quintana Roo as a protected natural area. This move threatens to strip Vulcan of its property rights and operational control over the port.
The senators argue that this is part of an ongoing series of unlawful attempts by the Mexican government to seize the property.
Read: Protesters Release Maggots And Crickets At Watergate Hotel During Netanyahu’s D.C. Visit
“President López Obrador’s recent attempt to reclassify Vulcan Materials Company’s land and port as a ‘naturally protected area’ constitutes an expropriation of a legally permitted U.S.-owned operation,” the senators stated. “We are deeply concerned by this latest effort to illegally acquire Vulcan’s property. This American company has consistently adhered to and exceeded environmental and legal requirements, including reforesting, preserving archaeological sites, and establishing wildlife habitats. The López Obrador administration’s actions undermine our long-standing bilateral relationship and erode international trust in Mexico’s commitment to the rule of law. We are committed to using all available tools to prevent the Mexican government from seizing Vulcan’s property and ensuring that no party benefits from this unlawful appropriation.”
In 2018, Vulcan initiated a NAFTA arbitration against Mexico due to harassment, illegal land-use changes, and the shutdown of operations on part of the property in Quintana Roo. By May 2022, Vulcan’s operations and port at the site were fully shut down following orders from AMLO, using Mexican military force.
Read: NORAD Intercepts Joint Russian-Chinese Bomber Patrol Near Alaska In Rare Show of Force
On March 14, 2023, Mexican military and police forces breached and confiscated Vulcan’s port facility at Punta Venado at gunpoint. Senator Britt condemned the seizure at the time and led a bipartisan effort to address the issue with Mexican Ambassador to the U.S., Esteban Moctezuma. Following diplomatic intervention, Mexican forces withdrew from the property.
Despite the withdrawal, AMLO has continued to threaten the forced takeover of Vulcan’s port and quarry, jeopardizing the company’s 35-year presence in Mexico.
In May 2024, Senators Britt, Kaine, Hagerty, and Tuberville urged Alicia Bárcena, Mexico’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs, to reverse the actions taken against Vulcan and seek a resolution that benefits all parties involved.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.