Who should manage the Port of Cabo San Lucas? API BCS insists on taking control for local benefit.

Currently, the port is managed by the federal government through the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine.

Pichilingue

Cabo San Lucas, BCS – August 7, 2025. The discussion about the future of the Port of Cabo San Lucas has returned to the center of debate. This week, the Baja California Sur Port Authority (API) reaffirmed its intention to directly assume the administration and operation of the tourist port , one of the most important in the Mexican Pacific.

Currently, the port's management is in the hands of the federal government through the General Coordination of Ports and Merchant Marine. However, the head of the state API, Arturo Martínez Arámburo, argued that it is time to decentralize this operation so that the economic benefits remain in the state .

What's at stake?

The Port of Cabo San Lucas is much more than just a point of entry and exit for cruise ships. It is a key player in the local economy , mobilizing thousands of visitors, supplying tourist vessels, generating jobs, and activating value chains in sectors such as commerce, transportation, food, and nautical recreation.

In 2024 alone, the port received more than 270 cruise ship arrivals , with more than 650,000 passengers , according to figures from the Ministry of Tourism. Each arrival represents a significant economic impact, but much of that revenue doesn't stay in Baja California Sur ; it's managed from central offices in Mexico City.

Why does the BCS API want to intervene?

The state API's proposal is to assume direct control of the port , as is already the case in other states that have reached local management agreements. According to Martínez Arámburo, this would allow:

• Invest immediately in urgent works , such as walkways, drainage, signage, and passenger services.

• Improve security and control of the port area through closer surveillance coordinated with municipal authorities.

• Maximize economic growth in Cabo San Lucas by prioritizing local suppliers and regional businesses.

• Streamline operational decisions without waiting for federal authorizations, which often delay key improvements or projects.

What do other sectors say?

The proposal has generated mixed reactions:

• Tourism entrepreneurs have supported the measure, pointing out that local efficiency would allow for a better experience for visitors.

• Federal officials have urged caution, noting that tourist ports are considered strategic and their operation requires unified protocols.

• Citizens and service providers welcome the idea that locally generated resources do not go to other parts of the country .

What's next?

To implement this change of administration, API BCS must submit a formal request to the Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR), currently responsible for Mexican ports. This will also require a financial, operational, and legal plan that guarantees continuity, security, and transparency.

If the request is successful, it would be the first time the state has assumed direct control of a tourist port of this magnitude , which could set a national precedent.

The debate over who should manage the Port of Cabo San Lucas is also a conversation about autonomy, local development, and economic justice . Baja California Sur generates wealth, but it doesn't always retain it. The API BCS proposal seeks to correct this imbalance and bring the port—literally and symbolically—closer to its people.

At BajaSur360 , we will closely monitor this process, because the sea not only connects destinations, it also defines who benefits and who is left out.