A small archipelago off Mexico’s Pacific coast that had been home to an island prison colony is now ready to receive tourists.
Getting to Islas Marias, however, is currently a challenge for even the sturdiest tourist: a 4-hour boat ride in often choppy waters. But Mexico's government plans to make things easier, putting the country's navy in charge of tours in the latest new function assigned to Mexico's armed forces under President Andrés Manuel López Obrador.
López Obrador had it converted into an environmental education center, though which some 150 youths have passed. Now the government wants to make it an ecotourism destination where visitors can watch sea birds and enjoy the beaches and local history. Although the government has been criticized for giving many functions to the military, from construction works or plant nurseries to controlling Mexico City's new airport, Maldonado sees nothing wrong with the navy taking charge of tourism.
Island prison colonies were common around the world to make escapes nearly impossible or to rehabilitate through forced labor. Most tried to be self-sufficient. Maldonado served her time during that era. She said the women, who were the minority, were the worst treated. Unlike the men, they weren’t allowed outside the fences even though they had skills and barely received enough food. Maldonado’s weight dropped to about 45 pounds. “They didn’t pay attention to us when someone got sick,” she said. “My friend’s gallbladder ruptured.”
It was closed in 2019 because of the high operating costs, some $150 a day per prisoner, which was much higher than on the mainland. Prison reform had also significantly reduced its inmate population.
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