WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — A bipartisan group of U.S. senators expressed concern about Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador's administration attempting to seize land owned by Vulcan Materials Company, an Alabama-based construction aggregates producer.
Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) issued a joint statement accusing López Obrador's government of unlawfully attempting to designate Vulcan's land and port in Quintana Roo, Mexico, as a "naturally protected area." This move, they argue, would strip Vulcan of its property rights and ability to operate the port, which has been a lawful U.S.-owned operation for over 35 years.
“Make no mistake, President López Obrador’s recent effort to label Vulcan Materials Company's land and port in Quintana Roo, Mexico, as a ‘naturally protected area’ is an expropriation of a lawfully permitted, U.S.-owned operation. We are deeply concerned by the Government of Mexico’s latest effort to illegally acquire the property that Vulcan operates. This American company has a proven track record of going above and beyond required permits that were routinely renewed by all levels of government to protect sensitive areas, reforest native jungle, preserve archaeological sites, and establish protected wildlife habitats. The López Obrador administration is continuing to set a dangerous precedent with these actions, undermining the long-standing bilateral relationship between our two countries and eroding international confidence in Mexico’s adherence to the rule of law. We remain committed to using all appropriate tools at our disposal to deter the Government of Mexico from seizing Vulcan’s lawfully owned and operated property and ensure no entity or individual benefits from its theft,” said Senators Britt, Kaine, Hagerty, and Tuberville.
