On August 15, 2025, in a move hailed as "historic" by regional leaders and cautiously welcomed by conservationists, the presidents of Mexico, Guatemala, and the prime minister of Belize unveiled an ambitious plan: the creation of a tri-national nature reserve designed to shield the vast Mayan rain forest from further destruction. This sweeping reserve will cover more than 14 million acres (5.7 million hectares) of dense jungle, stretching from southern Mexico through northern Guatemala and into Belize, making it the second largest protected area in Latin America—surpassed only by the Amazon rain forest.
Standing shoulder to shoulder in Guatemala City, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo, and Belize Prime Minister Johnny Briceño announced their pact, emphasizing both the environmental and cultural significance of the region. As reported by the Associated Press, President Sheinbaum declared, "This is one of Earth’s lungs, a living space for thousands of species with an invaluable cultural legacy that we should preserve with our eyes on the future." She described the reserve as a testament to regional cooperation and a vital step toward preserving biodiversity and the cultural riches of the ancient Mayan world.
The Mayan jungle, often called the "lungs of Central America," is home to countless species of plants and animals, many of them endangered. It also contains sacred sites and archaeological treasures that tell the story of the Mayan civilization. Yet, the jungle has faced mounting threats from deforestation, illegal logging, and, notably, large-scale development projects.
One project in particular has loomed large over the region: the Maya Train. This thousand-mile rail line, looping around Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, was conceived to link the country’s popular Caribbean resorts with remote jungle communities and Mayan archaeological sites. While the train promises economic development and increased tourism, it has also sparked fierce controversy and legal battles. According to government figures cited by the Associated Press, construction over the past four years has resulted in the felling of approximately 7 million trees and significant damage to a delicate cave system that serves as the area’s primary water source.
The Maya Train was fast-tracked by former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, Sheinbaum’s mentor and predecessor, who pushed forward without comprehensive environmental studies. López Obrador repeatedly ignored judicial orders to halt construction out of concern for fragile ecosystems, and he publicly criticized environmentalists who raised alarms about the project’s impact. Despite these controversies, President Sheinbaum has continued to support the train’s expansion, arguing that it could bring much-needed development to rural areas with limited economic opportunities.
At the same summit where the nature reserve was announced, the leaders also discussed the possibility of extending the Maya Train into Guatemala and Belize. The idea, originally floated by López Obrador, remains contentious. Environmental groups and local communities have voiced strong opposition, fearing that the expansion could repeat the ecological damage already witnessed in Mexico.
Among the most vocal critics is Selvame, a Mexico-based environmental group that has long campaigned against the train and other megaprojects threatening the jungle. In a statement responding to the reserve’s creation, Selvame called it a "monumental step for conservation" but cautioned that the move must be more than symbolic. The group wrote, "We’re in a race against the clock. Real estate and construction companies are invading the jungle, polluting our ecosystems, and endangering both the water we consume, and the communities that depend on it." Selvame urged President Sheinbaum’s government to implement an effective monitoring system to "stop any destructive activities."
President Sheinbaum, for her part, has framed the train extension as a tool for inclusive growth, saying it would help bring development to rural communities often left behind by economic progress. However, Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has taken a more cautious stance. While acknowledging the economic potential of connecting with the Maya Train, Arévalo has insisted that any expansion must not repeat the environmental mistakes made in Mexico. He stated unequivocally, "Connecting the Maya Train with Guatemala and eventually with Belize is a vision we share. But I’ve made it very clear at all times that the Maya Train will not pass through any protected area."
Arévalo’s position is grounded in Guatemalan law, which prohibits the construction of such projects through protected jungle areas. He emphasized the need for "careful environmental studies" before any decision is made, and confirmed that he and President Sheinbaum had discussed an alternative proposal: rather than cutting directly through the jungles of Guatemala and Belize, the train could loop around them, potentially preserving sensitive habitats while still achieving economic goals.
The creation of the tri-national reserve has introduced new complexity to the ongoing debate about the train’s route. It remains unclear how the boundaries of the new protected area will affect future infrastructure projects, including the Maya Train. Both supporters and critics of the reserve agree on one point: the real test will be in the implementation. Will the reserve serve as a genuine bulwark against destructive development, or will it become yet another paper park, celebrated in speeches but neglected on the ground?
For now, environmental groups like Selvame are watching closely. Their cautious optimism is tempered by years of frustration with what they see as government inaction and broken promises. In their words, "We hope that this reserve is not just symbolic." The group’s call for robust monitoring and enforcement reflects a broader concern: that without real commitment and resources, even the largest reserves can fall prey to illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment by powerful interests.
The stakes are high. The Mayan jungle is not only a natural wonder but also a vital resource for millions of people who depend on its water, food, and traditional livelihoods. Its loss would be felt far beyond the borders of Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize, affecting global biodiversity and the fight against climate change.
As the dust settles on the leaders’ announcement, one thing is clear: the eyes of the world are now on this corner of Central America. The coming months and years will reveal whether this tri-national pact can deliver on its promise to safeguard a precious ecosystem—or whether, as some fear, it will be overtaken by the relentless march of development.
For now, the jungle waits, its future hanging in the balance, as policymakers, conservationists, and local communities prepare for the next chapter in the long struggle to protect one of Earth’s last great wild places.