Notary Scandal in Quintana Roo Amid Leadership Void

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Legal professionals and the Quintana Roo Bar Association have remained silent amid allegations that Salvador Lopecedeño Estefan continues to unlawfully operate Notary Office 65 in Tulum, despite having resigned from the position in March 2022. The case highlights a power vacuum in the state’s General Directorate of Notaries, which has been without a director for months.

Unresolved Usurpation of Notarial Functions

Since September 2022, Salvador Lopecedeño Estefan has allegedly been performing notarial duties at Notary Office 65, even though the license for the office was reassigned to Fernando Ayora Sarlat. According to legal documents, Lopecedeño Estefan formally resigned on March 14, 2022, and later proposed Ayora Sarlat as his successor. The proposal was published in the Official Gazette of Quintana Roo on September 24, 2022.

However, Ayora Sarlat has not received the official seals or protocols required to assume control of the notary office due to the absence of leadership in the General Directorate of Notaries. Meanwhile, Lopecedeño Estefan continues to register deeds at the Public Property Registry, raising legal and administrative concerns.

Legal Professionals Avoid Comment

Members of the legal community, including the Quintana Roo Bar Association, have declined to address the situation, citing a lack of familiarity with the case. Some privately acknowledged the vacancy in the Directorate of Notaries but refrained from further comment, fearing potential repercussions.

Under Mexican law, property usurpation is a criminal offense that can be prosecuted if sufficient evidence is provided. If a notary is found to have validated fraudulent documents, their actions can be challenged through complaints to the Notary College or relevant authorities. The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation has previously ruled on cases involving adverse possession and notarial protocolization.

Accusations of Fraud and Systemic Failures

Lopecedeño Estefan faces accusations of fraud and corruption for allegedly conducting notarial transactions without proper authorization. The case underscores broader regulatory gaps in Quintana Roo’s notarial system, where oversight has faltered amid the prolonged leadership void.

Fernando Ayora Sarlat has formally requested an investigation into the matter, submitting a petition to the Undersecretary of Legal Affairs of the State Government, the superior authority overseeing the Directorate of Notaries. To date, no progress has been reported.

The controversy surrounding Notary Office 65 has drawn attention to the need for stronger governance and accountability in Quintana Roo’s notarial operations.