Vulcan Says Mexico Limestone Terminal Seized by Authorities

U.S. construction materials company Vulcan Materials has alleged that Mexican security forces have illegally taken control of its port terminal in southern Mexico, near Playa del Carmen.

Vulcan said workers from Mexican multinational cement firm Cemex, one of the world’s largest producers of cement, ready-mix concrete, and aggregates, were also involved in the “unlawful takeover” of the terminal.

Vulcan has been embroiled in a legal dispute with the Mexican government for five years over concessions, even drawing criticism from Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

“We are shocked in Cemex and in the Mexican government entities that supported this reckless and reprehensible armed seizure of our private property,” Vulcan said in the statement reported by Reuters.

Alabama-based Vulcan has been unable to produce and transport construction materials since May 2022, when the Mexican government shut down operations due to environmental concerns over its underwater limestone mining operations.

Fox News showed video of security forces arriving at the terminal on March 14 which was shared U.S. Senator Katie Boyd Britt of Alabama to Facebook. Senator Boyd Britt, calling the incident a “militarized seizure,” said a Mexican federal district court on March 16 ordered the government forces to vacate the terminal within 24 hours, but the facility remained occupied as of March 19.

“This forcible seizure of private property is unlawful and unacceptable. It is shameful that this Mexican presidential administration would rather confiscate American assets than the fentanyl killing hundreds of Americans per day,” she said. “Mexico should be more focused on going after the cartels than law-abiding businesses and hardworking people.”

The Sac Tun quarry is a large limestone quarry located on southern Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, near Playa del Carmen with access to the Caribbean Sea.

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