Mahahual Taxi Drivers Threaten Protests Over Alleged Concession Fraud
Mahahual, Quintana Roo — Taxi drivers in the coastal town of Mahahual are threatening protests after accusing union leaders of fraudulently awarding new vehicle concessions to friends and family instead of long-standing members.
Drivers belonging to the Joaquín Hendricks Díaz union say that of 31 new permits recently authorized by the state government, only 12 went to legitimate driver assistants who had been waiting for years. The remaining 19, they allege, were handed out opaquely to so-called “recommended” individuals with no connection to daily taxi work in the Grand Costa Maya region.
The union leadership, headed by Secretary General Juan Manuel Lanz, has refused to release the names of the new beneficiaries, fueling anger among rank-and-file members. Drivers are demanding that the state’s Mobility Institute (Imoveqroo) audit the process and take legal action.
If the disputed permits are not revoked, the drivers warn they will launch protests and extreme mobilizations across the Mahahual tourist area in the coming days.
Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx
