The legal conflict over the Mayaland hotel in Chichén Itzá is intensifying, with new accusations against businessman Fernando Barbachano Herrero for alleged fraud and dispossession. The courts have consistently ruled in favor of the R4 Real Estate Agency.
According to R4’s legal representatives, Mario Antonio Matos López and Alicia Maldonado Peniche, federal courts have dismissed all legal appeals filed by Barbachano, strengthening R4’s position in this prolonged litigation.
The dispute began in 2020 when Barbachano agreed to sell the Mayaland hotel to R4 under a staggered payment scheme. Despite receiving two advances, Barbachano cut off communication before the third payment and threatened to terminate the agreement. In January 2024, he cited “regret” due to the unexpected recovery of tourism post-pandemic as his reason for the breach.
One of the case’s pivotal moments was the seizure of the Mayaland hotel, ordered by the Attorney General’s Office of Quintana Roo following a complaint against Barbachano for fraud and dispossession. An arrest warrant was also issued against him. Concurrently, a commercial procedure related to the same matter is ongoing in Yucatán.
R4 presented an administrative delivery document dated October 27, 2024, as evidence, showing the formal handover of the hotel facilities to the real estate company. This document, according to R4’s lawyers, confirms their compliance with legal and court rulings.
In contrast, Barbachano is accused of seeking extrajudicial means to invalidate the contract and retain the advances received. R4’s lawyers assert that Barbachano has attempted to politicize the matter and pressure authorities for purposes unrelated to justice. They remain confident that the authorities will act impartially to ensure the law is upheld.
Barbachano has refrained from making direct statements about the accusations, maintaining the validity of his legal arguments. However, adverse court rulings and evidence presented by R4 have weakened his position.
Source: La Silla Rota
