Horse-Drawn Carriage Dispute in Cozumel Sparks Conflict Over Pier Access and Animal Welfare

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — A tense dispute has erupted between horse-drawn carriage operators on this Caribbean island, pitting companies against each other over access to lucrative pier spots and the use of animals for transport.

The conflict centers on the allocation of spaces at Puerta Maya, a busy cruise ship pier, and the pace of transitioning to electric carriages. One operator, Caleseros del Caribe, says it has already built seven electric carriages but still uses three horse-drawn units as it completes the switch. The company’s legal representative, José Julio Azcorra López, said the horses pull carriages weighing about 400 kilograms (880 pounds), plus passengers, totaling around 700 kilograms (1,540 pounds). He defended the gradual transition, arguing the animals are not being overloaded.

But rival operator Marcos Gutiérrez, known as “El Charro,” accused Caleseros del Caribe of dragging its feet. Gutiérrez said his group has fully converted to motorized carriages and called on authorities to enforce the Animal Protection Law, which requires an end to animal-drawn vehicles. “We want to work; the other carriages are in bad condition. They can’t keep using horses,” Gutiérrez said. “We invested money and are in debt. They’ve been working for six years. It’s time the authorities take action.”

Both sides have called on the Quintana Roo Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo) to intervene. Azcorra López said his company has submitted all required documentation and has 31 years of experience in the sector. He noted that only two carriages are allowed per pier under an unwritten agreement to avoid congestion. Gutiérrez, however, claimed that Bruno Villanueva, Imoveqroo’s local delegate, told the parties to “resolve it among yourselves,” refusing to step in.

The dispute highlights broader tensions on the island as tourism rebounds and regulations evolve. Cozumel’s carriage operators are caught between environmental mandates and the need to maintain a traditional attraction for visitors.