Playa del Carmen Mayor Responds to Puerto Aventuras Mayor’s Arrest on Extortion Charges

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado said no public official is above the law after the arrest of the mayor of Puerto Aventuras on suspicion of aggravated extortion, warning that public office must never be used to intimidate or extort residents.

In a video message, Mercado addressed the detention of Gilberto Gómez Martínez, mayor of the coastal community of Puerto Aventuras, who is under investigation for his alleged role in the crime of aggravated extortion. She said no public position should be used to intimidate, threaten, extort or abuse the public’s trust, and that it will be up to the competent authorities to determine responsibility in the case, with respect for due process.

Mercado also directed her comments to residents who may be afraid to report threats or extortion, telling them they can use institutional channels to file complaints.

“We will not tolerate acts of corruption, extortion, threats or abuse of power,” she said.

The Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office announced on Oct. 15 that Gómez Martínez had been detained along with two other people identified as Jorge “N” and Karla Paola “N” for their alleged involvement in events related to aggravated extortion.

According to the prosecutor’s office, the investigation concerns alleged demands for money made to a businesswoman in the Puerto Maya neighborhood of Puerto Aventuras, who was threatened with having her merchandise seized and with being prevented from continuing her commercial activities.