The Campeche Congress approved fast-track reform to the Law on Expropriations and Limitations on the Right to Property, an initiative submitted by the state executive branch.
In an extraordinary session convened by the Morena party, which holds the majority, the ruling establishing the grounds for expropriation of the “Public Utility” benefit, as well as the procedures, modalities, and execution of expropriations, temporary occupations, administrative easements, and limitations on ownership of private property within the state’s territory, was approved by a simple majority.
This decision was justified because the capital municipality of San Francisco Campeche allegedly does not have land reserves for road construction or the development of social housing that would allow for the state’s economic growth.
But this reform also bears a special dedication from the state government to former governor Alejandro Moreno, the ruling party majority acknowledged.
“What is the opposition afraid of, Moreno? As all of Mexico knows, and many people linked to the government have bought large tracts of land, beaches, etc., for a ridiculously low price of 30 cents per square meter. During many municipal administrations, land surrounding the city became legal property, practically given away, and often given away as political favors,” said local representative Ana María López of the Labor Party.
Since 2022, the Campeche State Attorney General’s Office has opened a case for alleged illicit enrichment against the national leader of the PRI, Alejandro Moreno Cárdenas. His asset declaration revealed he owned 13 properties, two houses, and 11 plots of land, acquired between 2012 and 2021.
Layda Sansores, governor of Campeche, publicly denounced that Alejandro Moreno’s properties are located in exclusive, high-value areas of the state.
“And one of them is also the equitable distribution of wealth hoarded or monopolized to the exclusive advantage of one or more people or to the detriment of the community in general or of a particular class,” emphasized Antonio Jiménez Gutiérrez, a Morena representative.
Article 1 Bis, Section III, states that the declaration of public utility will be published in the Official State Gazette, and the owners of the affected assets and rights will be personally notified. If they cannot be located or respond within five days, the state may take possession of the property.
Article 18 establishes that “Once the expropriation has been decreed and the interested party has been notified, the Ministry of the Interior, in the case of movable property, or the Ministry of Urban Development, Mobility, and Public Works, in the case of real estate, will proceed with the immediate occupation of the expropriated property and the execution of the planned works.”
For the opposition, this ruling puts citizens’ assets at risk, leaving them at the mercy of an executive decision with no possibility of appeal and at the government’s disposal.
“It establishes that the declaration of public utility issued by the government will not admit any administrative appeal. This has been stated long before I came here, and I will emphasize this. In other words, there will be no way to challenge it. The same goes for the expropriation, and the alleged compensation will also not be challengeable. Although Representative Falconi explained to us a moment ago that they can resort to an amparo trial, please, what amparo if they have the judiciary at their disposal? What recourse will the citizens use to defend themselves against this?” demanded PRI Representative Delma Rabelo.
Source: latinus.us
