Mexican Customs Chief Accused of Early Campaigning in Quintana Roo

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Rafael Marín Mollinedo, head of Mexico’s National Customs Agency, faces renewed allegations of conducting early campaign activities in Quintana Roo ahead of the state’s 2027 gubernatorial election.

According to a report by the news outlet N+, public events promoting Marín’s image have been organized since late 2025 in the state’s most populous municipalities. These events have included the distribution of 3,000 tamales, toys, appliances, and motorcycles to attendees.

At one gathering organized by a group calling itself “Friends of Rafa Marín” in Cancún on December 14, 2025, supporters chanted slogans backing his potential gubernatorial bid, despite formal campaign periods not yet being open.

The report states these activities, which include distributing goods bearing the official’s surname, fall outside legally established pre-campaign or campaign periods. Under Mexican electoral law, such actions could be considered premature campaigning and subject to sanctions.

At another event in Cancún on February 8, which featured tamale giveaways for Candlemas Day, Morena party deputy Ricardo Velazco declared that Marín represents “very important political capital” for the party’s 2027 agenda. Organizers deny the events constitute early campaigning.

No official sanctions have been issued by electoral authorities regarding these activities. The debate over potential violations of campaign timing rules continues among political actors and analysts, as internal party decisions about 2027 candidacies remain unresolved.