Federal Judge Denies Injunction to Playa del Carmen Fishing Leader; Arrest Warrant Stands

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — A federal judge has denied an injunction sought by José “N,” a fishing leader in Playa del Carmen, leaving an arrest warrant against him for alleged land dispossession in effect.

The Seventh District Court ruled Friday that the arrest warrant, issued by a criminal control judge in November 2025, does not violate the suspect’s constitutional rights. The decision allows the State Prosecutor’s Office to execute the warrant at any time.

According to case file 131/2026, José “N” filed the injunction request in February against the control judge assigned to the Criminal Control Courts and Oral Trial Court of First Instance in the Cancún Judicial District, as well as the Investigation Police commander in charge of Playa del Carmen, in an effort to avoid his arrest.

During the constitutional hearing on July 30, the court determined that the defense’s arguments were unfounded. It said the arrest warrant was issued in accordance with the law and does not contravene Articles 14 and 16 of the Mexican Constitution, which guarantee due process and the legality of government actions. As a result, the court denied the federal protection request, leaving the arrest warrant – issued in November 2025 – in effect and subject to execution by investigators.

The case stems from events in November 2025 at a property on Avenida Juárez, where a group of people allegedly invaded land claimed by the Ejido Playa del Carmen, the area’s communal landholding. During a police operation to recover the property, violence broke out, including the burning of an officer transport truck and the entry of heavy machinery used to clear part of the land. The ejido subsequently filed a criminal complaint for dispossession and identified José “N” as one of the probable participants in the occupation.

Although the defense may still pursue other appeal options under federal law, Friday’s ruling lifts the suspension that had prevented the warrant from being executed. Investigative authorities can now arrest José “N” and hand him over to the court that will hear his case.