Cancún Residents Protest Aguakan and CAPA Over Water Shortages and Soaring Bills

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Dozens of residents from several neighborhoods in Cancún protested Monday outside the offices of water utility Aguakan and the local water authority CAPA, denouncing chronic water shortages, persistent leaks, unmaintained drainage, and utility bills that have skyrocketed by as much as fourfold.

Waving banners and shouting “We want a solution!,” the demonstrators — from Regions 91, 92, 96, 97 and the Paraíso Maya subdivision — gathered on Avenida Yaxchilán to demand action. Many held up bills showing amounts far higher than usual.

“If before we paid 300 pesos, now we get bills for 1,200 or even 2,000 pesos. How is that possible?” said one resident from Region 91, who added that her tap remained closed. Another protester showed a bill indicating consumption measured at 71 units initially and 132 units later, even though the house was empty and the water shut off.

The protesters accused Aguakan of ignoring their complaints. The company closed its main gate and no representative came out to speak with them, though some residents managed to enter CAPA’s local office to be heard.

“They’ve abandoned us,” “They don’t fix the leaks,” “They tear up the streets and don’t repair the drainage,” were some of the chants. Residents also pointed to unfinished construction work near the taxi union headquarters and said the problems have persisted since last year.

During the protest, demonstrators briefly blocked one lane of Avenida Yaxchilán but reopened it after a few minutes to avoid disrupting traffic.