How Motorcycle Assassins Terrorize Quintana Roo

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The execution of Mario Machuca Sánchez, leader of the CROC labor union in Cancún, has become a symbol of the unchecked violence plaguing Quintana Roo. The brazen daylight attack occurred when two assailants, disguised as delivery drivers, approached Machuca in front of a car dealership on Avenida Kabah and shot him from a motorcycle before fleeing without immediate trace.

A Pattern of Violence

The State Attorney General’s Office confirmed that the motorcycle used in the attack and a delivery backpack with fake logos were recovered. No arrests have been made, though investigators are exploring possible labor-related motives.

According to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System (SESNSP), 80% of intentional homicides in Quintana Roo in 2025 involved the use of motorcycles, either to carry out the crime or facilitate the perpetrator’s escape.

In the first half of the year, the state recorded 65 intentional homicides, with the highest concentration in Cancún, alongside more than 230 motorcycle thefts—136 of which occurred in Benito Juárez, according to official statistics. Lightweight, low-displacement motorcycles, predominantly Italika and Honda models, have become the preferred vehicles for such attacks due to their affordability and ease of abandonment.

The Delivery Driver Disguise

The assailants’ use of delivery driver disguises—complete with uniforms, backpacks, and helmets bearing fake logos from platforms like Uber Eats or Didi Food—allows them to approach targets undetected and strike at close range.

The Modus Operandi of Motorcycle-Assisted Contract Killings

The pattern of motorcycle-assisted contract killings in Quintana Roo, particularly in Cancún, follows a well-documented sequence:

1. Target Selection and Surveillance: Victims are typically union figures, business leaders, or individuals linked to criminal disputes. Prior surveillance is key to identifying routines and schedules.
2. Use of Lightweight, Stolen Motorcycles: Italika and Honda models, often unlicensed, enable quick and discreet movement. Their low cost and disposability make them ideal for such attacks.
3. Logistical Camouflage: Fake delivery uniforms and backpacks allow assassins to blend in, even in high-surveillance areas.
4. Quick and Precise Attack: Assailants strike while moving or with brief stops, firing at close range to ensure lethality and minimize bystander reaction.
5. Immediate Escape: Motorcycles facilitate rapid flight through side streets and congested avenues, sometimes involving transfers to another vehicle or strategic abandonment.
6. Abandonment of Evidence: Motorcycles, helmets, and backpacks are discarded in remote locations to hinder investigations, rarely leading to the masterminds.

This method, repeated in most Cancún executions, operates with alarming impunity, reinforcing public perception that violence is an unchecked daily reality.

Rising Violence and Failed Security Measures

Three union leaders have been murdered in public settings this year under similar circumstances, pointing to a clear pattern of political and labor-related violence. Once a secure tourist destination, Cancún now grapples with rampant violence, daylight executions, street attacks, and widespread fear—with impunity as the common thread.

Despite a recent leadership change in the Benito Juárez Municipal Police—appointing retired naval officer Jaime Padilla Barrientos, a close collaborator of the state attorney general, in July 2025—public distrust remains high. Over 73% of citizens express skepticism toward local law enforcement.

Mayor Ana Paty Peralta framed the leadership shift as part of a broader state and federal strategy, emphasizing police coordination and professionalism. However, analysts note no tangible improvements, citing a lack of effective intelligence, visible preventive operations, or significant arrests related to high-impact attacks.

A National Problem with Local Consequences

While motorcycle-assisted contract killings are not unique to Cancún, Quintana Roo ranks among Mexico’s worst-affected regions in both frequency and rapid police turnover without meaningful crime reduction. Operations like the Joint Quintana Roo Operation, active since 2008, showcase interagency coordination but yield questionable results in reducing executions and motorcycle thefts.

Critics accuse current leadership of masking stagnation with superficial progress, as homicides and motorcycle-related crimes persist. Without urgent reforms and deeper security strategy overhauls, Cancún risks cementing its reputation as a lawless territory—effectively a “no man’s land.”