Private sector says that bureaucracy of the mayor of Mazatenango puts the Xochi Corridor at risk

Home Business Private sector says that bureaucracy of the mayor of Mazatenango puts the Xochi Corridor at risk
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June 8, 2026June 8, 2026By Mario Vásquez
Private sector says that bureaucracy of the mayor of Mazatenango puts the Xochi Corridor at risk

On Friday, June 5, Free press published that the company in charge of the Xochi highway took legal action, since the Municipality of Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez, still has not resolved whether it will grant an extension to the project’s license, whose inauguration is scheduled for the 14th of this month.

Rodrigo Barillas, legal representative of Xochi, informed Free press that the community has requested a series of documents to ensure that road safety will be met.

Given this situation, They presented an amparo in the Regional Court of Mazatenango and another in the Mazatenango Court of First Instance; In addition, an administrative appeal before the municipality.

This situation led the Chamber of Industry to issue a statement this Saturday, June 6, in which it stated: “The bureaucracy of a mayor puts the development of the country at risk.” The Cacif also issued a statement in which it indicated that “legal certainty must prevail in the case of Xochi”. In addition, the Chamber of Agriculture spoke.

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“For a country to attract large-scale private investments, especially related to infrastructure, the great pending and historical debt of the State with Guatemalans, the rules must be stable to guarantee legal certainty and compliance with local bureaucratic processes,” noted the Chamber of Industry.

He highlighted that the southern coast and the southwest of Guatemala have suffered a historic road collapse on the CA-2 Western route.

In that sense, he indicated that projects such as the Xochi Corridor seek reduce logistics costs and freight transportation times, in addition to facilitating the flow towards industrial and tourist areas.

“It is worrying that, after two years of development and just days after its inauguration, the project faces a limbo. We hope that, with due analysis by the parties involved, the necessary conditions will be established. urgent measures to guarantee its continuity and prevent administrative conflicts from slowing down the competitive advancement of the region,” he added.

Cacif issues statement

“The Xochi Corredor de las Flores highway is a private project that has fully complied with the current legal frameworkhaving the licenses, permits and authorizations required for its operation,” said the Cacif.

“Surprisingly and without legal basis, access to the right of way was closed by the Municipality of Mazatenango, an action carried out under the administration of Mayor Carlos Villagrán,” he added.

Read also: Xochi: The video of the tour from start to finish along the toll road being built on the South Coast

According to Cacif, this decision constitutes a direct violation of constitutional guarantees essentials, such as private property, due process and freedom of industry, commerce and work.

“Situations like this, which directly threaten legal certainty, cannot be normalized in a country that aspires to strengthen the rule of law. The arbitrary interruption of legally authorized activities affects fundamental rights, generates uncertainty and deteriorates the image of the country before investors national and foreign,” he warned.

The Cacif made an urgent call to the competent authorities to reestablish respect for constitutional guarantees, act in accordance with the law and avoid decisions that harm fundamental rights and compromise trust in institutions.

Chamber of Commerce points out arbitrariness

Through a statement published on social networks, the Chamber of Commerce expressed its concern and rejected the actions that put the operations of the project at risk, which, it assures, will improve mobility, competitiveness and economic development of the South Coast.

Chamber of Agriculture expresses concern

“The Chamber of Agriculture of Guatemala expresses its concern about the lack of legal certainty facing the Xochi road infrastructure project, a work that would contribute to improving mobility, competitiveness and economic development of the southern coast of the country,” he noted.

He highlighted that the southern coast is one of the main agricultural regions of Guatemala and projects like Xochi strengthen a key logistics corridor for thousands of producers, workers and companies, by reduce travel times, improve connectivity and facilitate transportation of people and goods.

“Guatemala needs more investment in infrastructure. To achieve this, it is essential to guarantee respect for the rule of law, the established processes and the authorizations issued in accordance with the law,” he stated.

He highlighted that legal certainty is essential to attract investment, generate employment and promote the development of the country.

Fixed posture holster

The Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (Fundesa) also joined the expressions of concern about the situation faced by the Xóchi Corridor project, a few days after its inauguration.

The entity highlights that the road infrastructure project It includes more than 30 kilometers on the southwestern route and seeks to encourage the economic development and competitiveness of Guatemala.

“Fundesa observes with concern that, days before its inauguration, the promoter company faces uncertainty on the part of the Municipality of Mazatenango, derived from a prolonged administrative silence regarding a request for renewal of a construction license submitted on time and form, followed by a closure action without prior notification or respect for due process,” the entity noted.

AmCham calls to guarantee legal certainty

The Guatemalan-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham Guatemala) reported that it maintains its position in support of the development of the country’s infrastructure, and views with concern the actions to hinder the Xochi Corredor de las Flores highway, which meets all the legal requirements to be inaugurated.

AmCham considers it a priority that legal certainty and the protection of private investment prevail, as a model for the development of new works, which encourage investment in Guatemala and allow better conditions for national mobility.

“We call on the Municipality of Mazatenango, Suchitepéquez, justice bodies and national authorities to respect due process and adhere to the law, safeguarding legal certainty, essential to strengthen the confidence of Guatemalans and national and international investment companies,” he explained.

He highlighted that Guatemala urgently needs strategic infrastructure that can be built with private investment to achieve a better country risk rating, attract investment and generate new jobs, as well as the development of communities and citizens.

Affected company speaks out

Xóchi stated that he continues working to open the project on June 14, despite the closure carried out by the Municipality of Mazatenango.

The company explained that in February 2026 submitted the application for a second renewal of the license construction; However, he has not yet received a response from the municipal authorities.

After the closure, for which she assured that she was not notified of the reasons, took legal action to obtain protection and guarantee the operation of the route.

Learn more details: Xochi reiterates that it has complied with the legal framework and maintains its goal of opening the way to the public on June 14

Irtra expresses support for the Xóchi Corridor project

The Workers’ Recreation Institute (Irtra) supported the Xóchi Corridor road infrastructure project as a mobility alternative for the residents and visitors of Retalhuleu.

“Those who choose this route will be able to reduce their travel time by between one and three hours, prioritizing their safety and optimizing travel costs,” indicated an Irtra publication on social networks.

Blankets on the highway

The highway extends from kilometer 142.5, in San Antonio, Suchitepéquez, to kilometer 173, in San Andrés Villa Seca, Retalhuleu, and It is planned to reduce congestion on the route to the southwest, towards the Irtra parks and the Pacific beaches.

In a tour carried out by the team of Free press Representatives of the company observed that between kilometers 162 and 172 of the Xochi route there are blankets and agents from the Mazatenango Municipal Police.

The blankets read: “Cancelled work”.

Rodrigo Barillas, Xochi’s lawyer, stated on June 5 that they have taken legal action, since the commune of Mazatenango has not granted them the extension of the license to continue with the work, even though they have already met the requirements.

He recalled that at the beginning of February they requested a second extension of that license, but the commune has not yet granted it.

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