Alleged Real Estate Cartel Emerges in Yucatan, Tied to Government and Oxxo Expansion

Mérida, Yucatan — Authorities in Yucatan have allegedly established a mafia-like real estate network, operated by Roger Aguilar Arroyo, the former mayor of Motul linked to multiple corruption cases and current director of the Institute of Regional and Municipal Development.

The group has acquired properties in 16 municipalities across the state where the convenience store chain Oxxo plans to open new locations. Oxxo’s parent company, Femsa, announced it will invest 1.25 billion pesos between 2025 and 2030 to open 250 stores in those municipalities.

Using insider information, Aguilar Arroyo’s group identified properties meeting Oxxo’s specifications, purchased them, and then resold them to the company at a higher price. The group allegedly leverages state government structures to manipulate property values and has even threatened owners into accepting sales far below market rates.

This operation mirrors tactics used by a previous real estate cartel under former governor Mauricio Vila, which involved manipulating records at the Public Property Registry to seize properties.

Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena is fully aware of the situation but has ignored it, effectively becoming part of the network, according to the allegations.

In Panabá, the group acquired a property below its real value and sold it to Oxxo. The building, located next to the Municipal Palace and facing the main park, is now being demolished to make way for the store.