Critics Question Environmental Record of Isla Mujeres Mayoral Hopeful Edgar Gasca Arceo

Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo — Edgar Gasca Arceo, a state official seeking the municipal presidency of Isla Mujeres, is facing criticism from residents who question his environmental record and say he bought land near a polluted lagoon.

Gasca Arceo, undersecretary of community engagement in Quintana Roo’s welfare department, has shown little sensitivity to environmental issues during his roughly 20-year political career, according to detractors. Residents say he was among the buyers of allegedly irregular lots surrounding Laguna Makax, an ecosystem that has suffered from contamination and deterioration.

They also recalled no significant achievements from his time as a municipal trustee or during two terms as a local deputy. “But we do remember when he negotiated a monthly salary of about 100,000 pesos with then-Mayor Hugo Sánchez in 2012, as then-trustee Zandra Magaña publicly denounced,” said Ismael Ramírez, a resident.

Residents also fault Gasca Arceo for not supporting a constitutional amendment aimed at giving islanders the same development opportunities as mainland residents. The reform to Article 8 of the Quintana Roo Constitution, first proposed by Deputy Demetrio Celaya in 2010, was only approved in 2025 after 15 years of efforts. Gasca Arceo did not back it during his terms as deputy from 2013 to 2016 and 2019 to 2022, they said.

“What we are calling out is that Morena is not respecting its own doctrine by allowing the incorporation of politicians who, besides coming from the PRI and PAN, do not abide by the maxims of ‘not stealing, not lying, and not betraying the people’ promoted by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador,” said Rigoberto Cahuich.

Residents also highlighted the high cost of living on the islands. Ferry fares of nearly 600 pesos for a round trip to Isla Mujeres — and even more to Cozumel — hinder visits from mainland relatives and burden working families.

Ernestina Cahuich, another resident, called on authorities to enforce the constitutional reform, exempt islanders from ferry fees and equalize basic-goods prices with mainland levels.

On the Laguna Makax land, residents said the purchase occurred during Manuela Godoy’s administration (2005-2008). The property, originally intended for the dock of the defunct “Boca Iglesia” cooperative, was later sold by the politician to a private buyer, a transaction critics say contributed to the lagoon’s decline.