Puerto Morelos Mayor Says Cancún Mansion Raided by Federal Agents Was ‘Lent’ to Her

Puerto Morelos, Quintana Roo — The municipal president of Puerto Morelos, Blanca Merari Tziu Muñoz, holds no contract in her own name for the Cancún house where federal agents carried out a pre-dawn search on October 19, and she does not pay rent on the property, according to her own account of the operation.

The search took place at a residence in the Lagos del Sol subdivision of Cancún, where Tziu Muñoz lives with her family. The operation drew attention at the highest levels of state and national politics.

Mayor says raid targeted the owner

Speaking publicly after the operation, Tziu Muñoz said she is not the owner of the property and is not responsible for any crime. According to her version of events, the federal search was directed at the owner of the home and she simply happened to be there when agents arrived.

She said she came to use the property through the real estate firm Cayo Maya Inmobiliaria S.I.P.I. de C.V., but she did not explain the terms of that arrangement or why the company figures in her use of the house. No lease or contract exists in her name for the residence, and she confirmed she does not pay rent for it.

Tziu Muñoz said she was never formally detained, but that she was held inside the property for about 12 hours and was allowed to leave only once the federal proceeding had concluded.

Jewelry, cash and documents seized

During the search, authorities seized jewelry, cash and documents from the home. The mayor’s account that the items belonged to the property’s owner has raised questions, given that she says she occupies the residence without a rental agreement.

Prior complaints before federal prosecutors

Tziu Muñoz and her administration have previously been named in complaints filed with the Federal Prosecutor’s Office (FGR) alleging deprivation of liberty, corruption, abuse of power and influence peddling. The complaints have not resulted in charges against the mayor, who rejects any wrongdoing.