Mexico Cancels Honorary Consulates of Several Businessmen in Yucatan Peninsula

Mérida, Yucatán — Mexico’s Foreign Ministry has announced the appointment of a new honorary consul for the Netherlands in the Yucatan Peninsula, while also making official the cancellations of several honorary consulates held by businessmen in Campeche and Quintana Roo, one of whom was arrested in February.

The Official Gazette of the Federation published the definitive authorization for Saskia Helene José Bezemer to serve as honorary consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, based in Playa del Carmen, with consular jurisdiction over the states of Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatán. The document, signed by Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente, is dated March 11, 2026.

Bezemer runs the firm Ocean Tours, which promotes excursions throughout the peninsula, and is a member of the Women’s Association of Tourism Business Executives.

The appointment fills the vacancy left by José Enrique Gutiérrez López, the honorary consul in Mérida who died on April 20 at age 72. Gutiérrez López had held the position since 1994 and also owned Notary 87. His patent was declared extinct on April 29.

Along with Bezemer’s appointment, the Foreign Ministry published the cancellations of several honorary consulates in the region.

Romania terminated the functions of Eduardo de Martín Albor Villanueva, who had served as honorary consul in Cancún since 2015, with jurisdiction over Campeche, Quintana Roo and Yucatán. The cancellation occurred in February. Albor Villanueva, director and shareholder of the Dolphin Discovery group, was arrested in Cancún on fraud charges.

Brazil also canceled the authorizations of Miguel Ángel Couchonnal Miranda and his son Miguel Ángel Couchonnal Mijares, who served as honorary consul and vice-consul in Cancún since 2017. The Brazilian government ended their functions in 2024. Both were former directors of the Potros de Hierro del Atlante soccer club.

Additionally, the authorization for Lilian María Zanon, honorary vice-consul of Brazil in Cancún since 2017, was canceled. Her jurisdiction covered the municipalities of Solidaridad, Cozumel, Tulum and the town of Nuevo Valladolid. Brazil terminated her functions in 2024.

Iceland canceled the honorary consulate of Rafael Ruiz Moreno, based in Campeche city, with jurisdiction over Campeche, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz and Yucatán. The Icelandic government ended his functions after he held the post from 2000 to 2025. Ruiz Moreno is a former leader of the Business Coordinating Council in Campeche and a representative of the Cattle Breeders Association in the state.