Authorities Seize Excavator and Arrest Three During Eviction Attempt in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Authorities seized an excavator and arrested three people during an attempted eviction at the informal Yaxchén settlement, located behind the city’s bus terminal. Police officers intervened after reports that private individuals were trying to remove residents from the property.

The security operation took place on land where several families have settled. According to preliminary reports, private parties had initiated action to displace the occupants.

At the site, authorities found heavy machinery—a Caterpillar-brand excavator—that was allegedly being used for land clearing and deforestation work without the required environmental permits. Officials seized the equipment as part of their investigation.

The three detained individuals were handed over to the appropriate authorities to determine their legal responsibilities and status according to standard procedures.

Residents of the settlement said this wasn’t the first attempt to evict them from the location, creating ongoing tension and uncertainty among the families who remain there.

They indicated that on previous occasions, other individuals had also tried to take possession of the property, leading to conflicts and requests for official intervention.

Authorities have not yet officially identified those involved in the incident or clarified the legal status of the land. Officials are expected to release more information in the coming hours regarding the circumstances of the intervention, the origin of the seized excavator, any resulting legal actions, and the legal situation of those detained.