MÉRIDA, YUCATAN — Despite government assurances of transparency and austerity in public spending, allegations of favoritism have re-emerged in Yucatán following reports that millions of pesos in public works contracts were awarded without open competitive bidding.
According to a report published by local news outlet Sol Yucatán, the state’s fair promotion agency, Instituto Promotor de Ferias de Yucatán, recently received an additional 30 million pesos ($1.5 million USD) on top of its original 113 million peso annual budget. The supplementary funds were earmarked for structural upgrades to the livestock hall at the Xmatkuil fairgrounds ahead of an upcoming international registered livestock exposition.
However, rather than holding an open public tender, the agency—headed by Director General Alberto Soberanis Basulto—directly awarded the renovation contracts to companies connected to Mario Millet Encalada. Millet Encalada has long been identified in regional political and business circles as a prominent financial operator with extensive influence across successive state administrations.
The lack of a transparent bidding process has sparked concern among public oversight advocates, who point to a persistent pattern in Yucatán’s government contracting. Critics argue that public funds regularly flow into the hands of a small network of politically connected contractors, bypassing standard competitive safeguards designed to protect taxpayer resources.
Neither the Instituto Promotor de Ferias de Yucatán nor representatives for Millet Encalada have publicly commented on the direct awards. The ongoing controversy underscores growing scrutiny over public procurement practices in the region as citizens demand greater accountability and competitive fairness in government spending.
Source: Sol Yucatán
