PAN Demands CFE Director’s Removal Over Power Outages in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Mexico’s National Action Party (PAN) has called for the removal of the head of the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) following a series of blackouts that have disrupted daily life in this tourist hub.

Danna Ramírez Saldaña, president of the PAN municipal committee, and Juan Novelo, a state councilor, joined federal deputy Ernesto Sánchez Rodríguez in demanding immediate action from the state-owned utility. The party described the outages as a matter of “maximum citizen priority,” especially given the region’s high temperatures.

“Heat strokes put people’s health and physical integrity at risk. It’s inhumane that blackouts happen at all hours. The utility is not doing us a favor, given its exorbitant rates,” they said in a statement.

The PAN argued that the power failures affect hospitals, economic activities, and public services, while also damaging electrical appliances and creating unsafe conditions. “The blackouts in Quintana Roo, especially in Playa del Carmen, bring multiple problems: lack of care in local hospitals, interruption of productive activities, and substantial economic losses,” the party noted.

Ramírez and Novelo said they traveled to Mexico City along with Senator Mayuli Martínez Simón to file a formal request with CFE headquarters, demanding new substations and infrastructure improvements. They argued that Playa del Carmen’s rapid growth and significant tax revenue from tourism warrant greater investment.

“We request new substations, transformers, and adequate electrical infrastructure in line with our municipality’s growth. We demand a minimal portion of what we contribute,” they said.

The PAN vowed to continue pressuring CFE to improve service, address damaged wiring, replace broken poles, and repair roads affected by the company’s work.