Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Mayor Estefanía Mercado has placed third in the national Mitofsky ranking of mayors, a monthly survey measuring approval among 150 municipal presidents across Mexico.
Mercado is one of only eight mayors nationwide to exceed 60% citizen approval in the June survey, placing her among the most popular local administrations in the country.
The top four positions in the ranking are held by women, reflecting the growing prominence of female leaders in Mexican local government, according to Mitofsky.
Quintana Roo stands out in the evaluation: Mercado holds third place, ahead of Grecia Quiroz of Uruapan, Michoacán, and Felipe Macias of Querétaro.
The average approval rating among the 150 mayors surveyed in June was just 53%, a decline from the previous month. Playa del Carmen, by contrast, ranks among the municipalities with the highest citizen perception of government performance.
Mercado attributed the result to a focus on programs, public works, and actions aimed at improving residents’ quality of life.
Security improvements
Mercado’s administration has reduced intentional homicides and other crimes, a trend not seen for many years, she said. While acknowledging ongoing security challenges, she highlighted coordinated police efforts, investment in equipment and technology, and increased street patrols as key factors.
According to official figures, intentional homicides dropped 55%, vehicle theft fell 34.8%, motorcycle theft 34.2%, extortion 33%, and commercial robberies 30%. Human trafficking cases decreased 9%, and no kidnappings were reported during the period.
Mercado credited the results to permanent coordination among federal, state, and municipal authorities, and to strengthened operational capacities of security forces. She emphasized that the progress does not mean the problem is solved, but that implemented actions are yielding positive results.
“We will continue working 24/7, without letting our guard down, because our commitment is clear: to build a safer, more peaceful Playa del Carmen with more opportunities for everyone,” Mercado said.
