Isla Mujeres Will Not Accept Outsiders for Local Posts, Official Says

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Residents of Isla Mujeres will not accept a mayoral candidate from outside the island, a state official said Monday, signaling growing local resistance to potential outsider candidates in the 2027 municipal elections.

Edgar Gasca Arceo, deputy secretary of Community Management at the federal Welfare Secretariat, said islanders know what they do not want and will reject any imposition by the ruling Morena party.

“The national leadership of Morena has said that whoever wants to be coordinator of the Defense of the Transformation must be a known person with field work and a good reputation, not just show up, raise their hand and say ‘I want it,’” Gasca said.

Asked about the presence of state Health Secretary Flavio Carlos Rosado, who has taken up residence on the island, Gasca said conditions are not right for an imposition. “The people will decide, because they know who is who and know the movie and the possible actors who might raise their hand, and above all, what they have done for Isla Mujeres.”

Gasca argued that Isla Mujeres has tourism potential but also major needs in public services, security, and legal certainty. While acknowledging that current Mayor Atenea Gomez has done good work, he said more effort is needed.

He reiterated his own interest in seeking the position and insisted the island must be governed by someone from Isla Mujeres. “Because no one better than someone who loves the land and knows its needs to address them. We islanders have known each other since childhood, all our lives; we know what hurts us, we know what we want, and above all, what we do not want.”