Cancún Hospital Patient Claims Assault by Security Within 24 Hours of Surgery

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Less than 24 hours after undergoing surgery, Carlos Calatayud says he was confronted and physically grabbed by security and administrative staff at the Hospital General “Jesús Kumate Rodríguez” in Cancún when he returned to retrieve his cellphone and personal belongings that had been left in the care of hospital personnel.

He is also being pressured to sign a voluntary discharge even though he is still recovering, and he says he has become an uncomfortable presence for the hospital because he has documented the poor conditions in some areas of the facility, including leaking ceilings, broken bathrooms, standing water, and damaged furniture. He warns these conditions pose a risk to patients and visitors.

Calatayud said he had surgery the day before and, following hospital staff instructions, left his phone and some belongings in their care, with the promise that he could pick them up the next morning. When he returned, he was followed and confronted by security officers, who he says grabbed him violently despite being told he had just undergone arm surgery.

The patient said hospital lawyers got involved, and police were called to remove him from the building. According to his account, the officers did not arrest him after hearing his version of events. During his time at the hospital, Calatayud used photos and videos to document conditions in several areas, showing leaks, broken toilets, standing water, and damaged furniture — problems he says have gone unresolved for months.

“That’s why they tell me I’ve worn out my welcome, because I’m exposing the conditions many patients are in. I’m not the only one, but few people dare to report what goes on. Last night they again tried to intimidate me so I would leave,” he said.

This is not his first complaint against the hospital. Calatayud said he previously flagged what he described as a surgical complication from an earlier procedure, and he had to wait about six months for the follow-up surgery. Now that he has been operated on again, he says staff are urging him to sign his discharge, but he is not willing to accept as long as he believes he needs to remain under medical care.