Critics Blast Quintana Roo Security Department Over Late-Night Torture Apology

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The state’s Public Security Department issued a public apology late Wednesday night to two victims of arbitrary detention and torture by police officers in Playa del Carmen, a move critics say was designed to minimize public attention.

The statement, released just before 10 p.m. on Aug. 19, complies with Recommendation No. CDHEQROO/04/2026/III from the State Human Rights Commission. In it, the department acknowledged that its agents acted outside the law and violated the victims’ rights to liberty and personal integrity. The victims were identified only by the initials J.H.M.D. and S.M.R.

Communication specialists and human rights advocates described the late-night release as a “bad news dump,” a tactic used to bury unfavorable information when media coverage and public engagement are at their lowest. They said the timing undermines the principle of full reparation, limits the restoration of the victims’ honor, and shields the department from media and civil society scrutiny.

The Public Security Department said it has ordered its internal affairs office to investigate the officers involved and pledged to strengthen police training on preventing torture, with oversight from the office of the state secretary of government and the human rights commission.