Playa Del Carmen Residents Deny Government Claim of 474 Property Titles Delivered

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Representatives of the Colonia Colosio neighborhood association have denied the federal government’s claim that 474 property titles were handed out during a July 17 event led by President Claudia Sheinbaum in Playa del Carmen. According to the founders, only about 250 titles were actually delivered.

In a press conference Wednesday, former local deputy Sonia López and founding resident Gabriel Cabañas said many residents attended the event “under deception,” believing they would receive their property titles but left empty-handed, sparking widespread discontent.

López accused the National Institute of Sustainable Land (Insus) of continued corruption in the land regularization process. She said many residents who have lived on their plots for 30 years have been unable to obtain titles despite Insus promising to review their cases, receiving only excuses instead.

She also criticized the Quintana Roo Secretariat of Sustainable Urban Territorial Development (Sedetus), led by José Alberto Alonso Ovando, for acting as “judge and party” by claiming to assist in regularization while protecting the state parastatal company Desarrolladora de la Riviera Maya (Derimaya), recently renamed “Desarrolladora de la Justicia Social.” López accused the company of defrauding residents.

The founders announced they will travel to Mexico City in the second half of August to meet directly with President Sheinbaum, saying they are tired of dealing with officials who only delay and seek money.

Cabañas added that Insus continues to impose obstacles through high prices, legal problems, and cumbersome procedures. He said authorities have ignored a regulation established by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador that promised free titling for residential lots and a preferential rate of 25,000 pesos for commercial plots.

Regarding the Chenzubul land enclosure attempt, López maintained the state still controls the area, noting that the former Derimaya faces fraud allegations and that no one has proven ownership.

“Our comrades are dying without seeing this 32-year struggle reflected as a personal triumph. They die without leaving a legacy for their families, without legal security, and that’s what hurts the most,” López lamented.

The residents insisted that despite the official narrative, many are still at risk of being dispossessed and said they will not give up until they present their case directly to the president.