Chetumal Cancels Traditional Cheese Festival Amid Security Concerns Following Cartel Violence

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Authorities have canceled Chetumal’s traditional Cheese Festival as a precautionary measure following recent cartel violence in Quintana Roo and other parts of Mexico. The decision came despite normal commercial activities continuing in the state capital after security officials clarified no incidents had occurred there.

The festival, which has been held annually since 2019 and is known to approximately 90% of Chetumal residents, was called off as organizers prioritized public safety. The cancellation followed attacks in Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancún, as well as violence in central and northern Mexico linked to the death of cartel leader N.O.C., known as “El Mencho.”

Organizers said the decision was made jointly by more than 100 vendors and municipal and state governments. “It was a matter of precaution and responsibility,” the festival committee stated. “Being a public event with free access, there are external factors we cannot control in the same way as in a closed venue. We prioritized the safety of exhibitors and the general public.”

Following the cancellation, organizers implemented digital strategies to help vendors recover their investments. Through social media posts, reels, and advertisements, residents were able to purchase products online. Approximately 90% of exhibitors reported selling all their products, while the remaining 10% recovered their investments and were close to completing sales.

“We implemented a digital communication and marketing strategy to help exhibitors move their products,” organizers explained. “We couldn’t just let them go home and handle it on their own because they worked so hard.”

The committee reported receiving hundreds of messages from citizens asking how they could help. “The community showed solidarity with the exhibitors and bought from them at home,” they added.

Organizers are discussing with state authorities about rescheduling the event but await official approval, noting they still consider it prudent to maintain precautions.

Meanwhile, Chetumal’s commercial sector reported reduced customer traffic at the city’s four main markets: Lázaro Cárdenas, Manuel Ignacio Altamirano, 5 de Abril, and Andrés Quintana Roo. Businesses linked the decline to violence that occurred the previous Sunday.

The number of taxis and vans in operation decreased, and supermarkets appeared nearly empty despite typically busy Monday activity. Major thoroughfares including Insurgentes Avenue, Constituyentes del 74, Maxuxac, Veracruz Boulevard, and Primo de Verdad remained unusually quiet as residents limited their movements.