Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado Rules Out Gubernatorial Bid

Estefanía Mercado, mayor of Playa del Carmen, speaking at a press conference.

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Mayor Estefanía Mercado Asencio announced Monday that she will not participate in the internal process of the Morena party to select a candidate for governor of Quintana Roo.

In an interview, Mercado said she will remain focused on her duties in Playa del Carmen. “I’m staying in Playa del Carmen. I want to tell you that my commitment is to the people of Playa. We still have a lot of work to finish,” she said.

She wished success to those who will compete in the internal process. “We have great profiles, and I’m sure they will do a great job for Quintana Roo. For my part, here in Playa del Carmen we have a lot of work to do and consolidate, so I can only wish all the best to my colleagues who will participate,” she added.

Mercado noted that the eventual candidate will have the full support of Playa del Carmen. She also said that mayors across the state will decide whether to seek reelection “at the appropriate time” when the party opens registration for those candidacies.

The announcement came the same day that Morena’s state leadership released the call for registration of candidates for the State Coordination for the Defense of Transformation and National Sovereignty. Party leader Johana Acosta said registration will be held digitally on June 22, 23, 25, 26, and 27, and in person on June 26 at the World Trade Center in Mexico City.

Other officials who have expressed interest in the gubernatorial race include Senator Eugenio Segura, Benito Juárez Mayor Ana Paty Peralta, federal deputy Marybel Villegas, and former federal official and Morena founder in the state Rafael Marín Mollinedo.

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By Ana Reyes

Ana Reyes covers environmental policy, conservation initiatives, infrastructure projects, and political developments across the Yucatán Peninsula for Riviera Maya News & Events. She reports on issues from sargassum management and reef conservation to the Maya Train, coastal development, and state and federal policy affecting Quintana Roo and the broader peninsula.Ana has covered environmental and political news since 2023, tracking key developments in Mexico's environmental regulations, coral reef protection, coastal zone management, and the intersection of tourism development with conservation efforts. Her reporting spans from Cancun's hotel zone to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve and the culturally significant regions of the Yucatán interior.Ana is fluent in English and Spanish, and draws from a wide range of sources including government environmental agencies, conservation organizations, academic researchers, and local community leaders to provide balanced, well-sourced coverage. She is particularly focused on how environmental policy decisions affect the daily lives of residents and the long-term sustainability of the region.For story tips: ana@rivieramayanews.mx