Provisional suspension granted to prevent felling of the century-old Laureano tree

MEXICO CITY (apro).- Following criticism and demands from residents of the "Save Laureano" movement, a federal judge granted a provisional suspension to prevent the felling of the century-old tree, its removal, or its replanting from the Benito Juárez borough, reported neighborhood spokesperson Patricia Solano.

On June 6, local residents blocked Fresas and Miguel Laurent streets in the Tlacoquemécatl del Valle neighborhood to protest the construction of a real estate project by the Núcleo Urbano company.

Neighbors complained that tree branches were encroaching on the property located at 48 Miguel Laurent Street, where the construction is taking place, and could be affected.

"Laureano" stands at least 30 meters tall. Its branches and leaves extend to a length of 10 to 12 meters; its roots also reach beneath the property where an apartment building is planned, valued at up to seven million pesos each.

Following protests and complaints on social media, the judge issued a ruling ordering the mayor, Clara Brugada; the Ministry of the Environment (Sedema); the General Directorate of Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulation (Dgeira); and Mayor Luis Mendoza of the BJ (Bolivian Capital Region) to ensure the protection and conservation of the tree and its roots, Solano said.

"We've already won the provisional suspension to protect 'Laureano,' this is fabulous. Yes, as I told you, we were confident that we would receive that ruling from the court this week, and that makes us very, very happy. (...) By taking care of our environment, we can be heard, and obviously, we want to thank all the people who have trusted us as neighbors," he said.

The judge's ruling and the injunction, which remain in effect until a definitive suspension is granted, require authorities to ensure the preservation of the "Laureano" river, as failure to do so will cause irreparable damage to the environment.

“Laurenao Fest”

Following the announcement of progress in the defense of "Laureno," Solano called on the public to attend the "Laureno Fest" next Saturday, June 21:

"We're calling on the neighbors to meet us on Saturday at 10 a.m. for the 'Laureano Fest,' so we can continue our peaceful struggle, as we've established from the beginning (...) peacefully, without arguments, and with the support of everyone involved."

The construction of housing complexes, the construction of new shopping malls, and various real estate projects in Mexico City have led to the felling of more than 1,600 trees, as well as the loss or damage to green areas.

The neighborhood organization Front for the Defense of the Rights of the Peoples and Neighborhoods of Anáhuac reported that from 2019 to 2024, 50 real estate projects were responsible for the loss of green spaces and various tree species that were supposed to be protected by environmental authorities, who authorized logging for the projects.

The environmental advocacy and specialist community has reiterated the cultural and natural importance of trees to citizens.

They have also denounced that reforestation programs such as Sedema's "Green Challenge" focus solely on planting trees, not on their care or survival.

Some of the consequences of cutting down trees are:

• Shade reduction: necessary for the severe heat waves that have intensified in recent years.
• Risk to the well-being of people and the country's natural heritage.
• Acceleration of the loss of soil, fauna, flora and biodiversity.
• It leads to desertification and water scarcity.