President Claudia Sheinbaum said a previous derailment incident will not affect the future passenger service of the Interoceanic Train.
The project is a central pillar of Mexico's infrastructure strategy to connect the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Any significant delay or safety concern threatens the economic viability of the corridor and public confidence in the government's logistical capabilities.
Speaking during a morning press conference in Mexico City, Sheinbaum ordered an end to rumors suggesting the project was in jeopardy. "The incident does not affect the passenger train," Sheinbaum said [1].
The president was referring to a derailment that occurred on Dec. 28, 2026 [2], which affected 13 people [2]. Despite this event, the administration is moving forward with plans to modify certain sections of the track. Sheinbaum said the government is currently working on a zone characterized by curves to improve safety and efficiency [3].
However, the timeline for the resumption of passenger services remains a point of contention. Some reports indicate the service is expected to begin in early 2027 [4]. Other sources suggest a target of early next year [5].
Sheinbaum also addressed the technical hurdles facing the project. She said the government does not yet have the completed executive project, or the necessary right-of-way permissions, to modify the specific section of the track [6]. Because of these missing requirements, the start of the service could potentially be delayed by up to one year [6].
The administration continues to push for the completion of the route, emphasizing that the Interoceanic Train is essential for regional development. Sheinbaum said the focus remains on resolving the technical issues in the curved zones to ensure the safety of future passengers [3].
“"The incident does not affect the passenger train."”
The discrepancy between the president's public confidence and the admitted lack of a completed executive project suggests a gap between political goals and engineering reality. While the government seeks to maintain momentum for the Interoceanic Train, the missing right-of-way permissions and the need to redesign curved sections indicate that the 2027 deadline remains precarious.
