CANACO Playa del Carmen: 5,000 Paid, Zero SIEM Registrations

Playa del Carmen, Q. Roo. – The National Chamber of Commerce, Services, and Tourism (CANACO SERVYTUR) of Playa del Carmen, led by President Adán Toledo Lucero, is facing a severe credibility crisis. Although it has charged for nearly five thousand registrations for the Mexican Business Information System (SIEM) so far in 2025, it had not inscribed a single company with the Secretary of the Economy as of August 18.

4,992 Charges Without a Single Registration: Alleged Institutional Fraud

In June, the Chamber's director, María Jesús Morales Velázquez, presented a report to the Board of Directors in which she admitted that as of June 26, payment had been collected for 4,992 SIEM registrations without a single one having been processed. The excuse provided was that the Secretary of Economy's portal was not enabled for the majority of chambers.

However, an investigation by Quinta Fuerza demonstrated that other chambers were operating normally:

• CANACO Mérida: 1,961 registrations
• CANACO Cancún: 1,912 registrations
• CANACO Chetumal: 265 registrations

In contrast, the Playa del Carmen Chamber has not registered any companies, despite boasting more than 7,500 historical affiliations. This suggests not a technical failure, but a deliberate abandonment of its obligations, which could constitute an alleged fraud to the detriment of local business owners.

Simulated Affiliations and Forced Captation of Resources

So far this year, only 423 new affiliations have been registered. Many of these are forced, such as those of students in a real estate diploma program who were required to become members to receive a discount. This tactic turns affiliation into a covert form of fundraising, with no intention of strengthening the business community.

Phantom Benefits and Diversion of Affiliates to Private Businesses

Numerous affiliates report that the promised services—such as legal or accounting advice—are merely general orientations, and that in many cases, they end up being referred to firms or businesses operated by the president, former presidents, or employees of the Chamber. This network of interests creates a scenario of ethical and legal conflict.

Private University Operating Within the Chamber

There is clear evidence of the use of the Chamber's facilities to operate a private university, the Instituto Empresarial Maya-Caribe S.C., in which the director, a former president, and Adán Toledo himself participate as partners. There is no public information regarding agreements, rental payments, or authorization from the Board of Directors.

The university's continued presence in the Chamber's building is due, according to testimonies, to the fear that the Secretary of Public Education will cancel its Official Recognition of Validity (RVOE) if they change address. Thus, the public business institution has been converted into an incubator for private interests.

What is the SIEM and Why is it Key?

The SIEM is a mandatory document for legally opening a business in the municipality. The CANACO has a service window inside the Municipal Treasury to facilitate this procedure. However, the Chamber has charged for registrations it has not processed, violating the guidelines of the Secretary of the Economy and creating a legal vacuum that can severely affect local businesses.

Political Group Takes Over the Chamber

Adán Toledo leads a structure that has captured the Chamber as a political bunker and platform for private business. The institution has ceased to represent the organized commerce of Playa del Carmen. It does not lead, it does not protect, it does not promote; it only collects.

Business owners are paying for a service that does not exist and are being used as the financial base for a small group that operates with impunity under the shield of business representation.

In upcoming reports, Quinta Fuerza will document how this group operates from other chambers and business councils to consolidate a power network without transparency or accountability.