Playa del Carmen Police Suspended Over Fisherman’s Death

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Five Municipal Police officers have been suspended and are under investigation for their alleged responsibility in the death of a 33-year-old fisherman and tourism service provider, Pablo Esteban “N”.

The incident occurred last Sunday, October 19, on Pelicans Beach in the tourist zone. According to videos posted on social media, the victim is seen being subdued by several police officers in the sea after he reportedly resisted arrest. A separate recording shows him handcuffed on the sand, asking for help because the handcuffs were too tight, while several uniformed officers and civilians surrounded him.

Witness accounts state that the altercation began after Pablo Esteban was wrongly accused of stealing a cell phone. His family and colleagues confirmed his death in a hospital hours after the arrest.

Following protests by members of the fishing and water service provider communities, the Solidaridad City Council issued a statement. The council, led by Estefanía Mercado Asencio of Morena, reported that Pablo Esteban was transferred to Playa del Carmen General Hospital after his arrest due to symptoms associated with substance use.

Contradicting that account, the death certificate issued by the Quintana Roo Prosecutor's Office indicates that the probable causes of death were asphyxiation and head trauma.

The fisherman was buried on Tuesday, October 21. The municipal government confirmed the following day that the five police officers involved had been suspended from their duties pending the outcome of corresponding administrative and criminal investigations.