Dump Truck Drivers Protest at Cancun Airport Bypass, Demand Local Hiring Priority

Line of dump trucks parked on the shoulder of a highway near Cancun International Airport as drivers protest

Cancun, Quintana Roo — About 50 dump truck drivers staged a protest Thursday afternoon on the Cancun International Airport bypass, demanding overdue payments, fair rates, and greater access to local construction projects.

The drivers, from Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, parked their trucks along the roadside and threatened to block traffic if authorities did not address their demands.

Most of the protesters called for respect for local concession holders and opposed the involvement of the Mexican Army (SEDENA) in state infrastructure projects, arguing it significantly reduces their job opportunities.

“We’re here with our trucks so our demands are heard,” said a representative of the drivers. “We want to work at fair prices, we want state law to be respected, we want the work of Quintana Roo residents to stay with Quintana Roo residents — we don’t want people from other states to come and take our jobs.”

The drivers also announced they would launch a caravan Friday at 7 a.m. on Federal Highway 307, starting at the Cancun exit and heading toward Tulum, with stops in Puerto Morelos and Playa del Carmen.

Representatives from the state government’s secretariat arrived at the protest site to negotiate with the demonstrators and seek a quick resolution to prevent the road from being blocked.

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By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx