Cancún Officials Propose Fines, Arrests for Parents of Minors in Administrative Offenses

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Authorities in Benito Juárez are considering reforms that would penalize parents or guardians when minors commit administrative offenses, aiming to strengthen family responsibility for youth behavior.

Jorge Rivero Pech, director general of Civic Courts, announced that the initiative emerged after some parents refused to allow their children to receive treatment from the Municipal Institute Against Addictions (IMCA) during recent operations targeting illegal street gatherings known as “rodadas,” despite detected substance use.

“We spoke with our president Ana Paty Peralta, and she is very attentive to this situation. She suggested we explore, legally, how we could sanction the guardians of these minors. We are already looking at the possibility of reforming our Civic Justice Regulations,” Rivero Pech explained.

He detailed that the project is still under analysis but considers various sanctions for parents, including arrests of up to 36 hours, financial fines that could reach 80 UMAs (Unit of Measurement and Update), and even community service.

“It is being explored, being evaluated, the project is being developed. The sanctions would range from hours of arrest… to UMAs, but I insist, it is a project that is being evaluated,” he emphasized.

Currently, minors detained for administrative offenses are taken to the Municipal Retention Center, known as “El Torito,” where they remain until their parents or guardians pick them up, in addition to receiving preventive guidance.

The official stressed that this proposal aims to send a clear message to families about the importance of supervising and guiding minors, with the goal of preventing risky behavior and recidivism.

Rivero Pech insisted that beyond sanctions, the intention is to raise awareness among parents about their role in their children’s conduct and prevent youth from engaging in activities that lead to administrative violations.