Cancún Residents Demand Governor’s Intervention Over Alleged Land Fraudster

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Residents of the El Porvenir and Chiapaneca neighborhoods gathered outside the Benito Juárez municipal offices to demand that the state governor step in and address their complaints against a man they accuse of fraudulently selling land, seizing plots, making threats and blocking access to electricity.

The demonstrators again singled out Andrés Castillejos Cárdenas, who presents himself as president of the Association of Chiapanecos and claims ownership of dozens of plots, which they say he sells using false promises.

Protesters said numerous complaints have been filed over land seizures, attempted homicide and the denial of electricity service, among other abuses, and that Benito Juárez municipal authorities have done nothing despite countless meetings.

“We are here to be heard by the governor, and for her to come down to our community and see the problem for herself,” one demonstrator said. “These neighborhoods have suffered for nearly 20 years since they were founded. People live on streets that are not even passable.”

The residents also called on state prosecutor Raciel López Salazar to move their complaints forward.

They said that in addition to Castillejos, they have filed complaints against Nuri Alejandra Gallaga and Adriana Esteban, and that they have evidence of abuses by both.

“These people show up every Sunday to invade plots, and Andrés Castillejo only helps those who end up giving him money — as with the electricity service, where, even though it is a completely free federal project, they have charged up to 12,000 pesos to anyone who wants the service,” they said.

On electricity, the residents said they have received support from the CFE (Federal Electricity Commission) and its engineers, but that these individuals have even attacked the utility’s workers with firearms, threatening them and slashing the tires of their trucks, as happened recently.

They said they are tired of living under threats from Castillejos and his associates, and are asking the government to intervene to resolve what they describe as injustices so they can live in peace.