Quintana Roo Leads Mexico in HIV Cases—Why?

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo remains the state with the highest number of HIV cases in Mexico, according to data from the National Center for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control (Censida). The cities of Cancún and Playa del Carmen account for 88% of the state's cases, with Playa del Carmen reporting the highest infection rate in Latin America.

Rising Case Numbers and Demographic Trends

Official figures from the Quintana Roo State Health Secretariat document 478 cases in 2023, 992 in 2024, and 155 in the first quarter of 2025. The most affected age group is individuals between 25 and 29 years old, though a concerning rise has also been observed among adolescents aged 15 to 19, predominantly males.

Only 20% of those infected disclose their status to seek treatment, while 80% keep it hidden. The majority of cases involve heterosexual men and women.

Criticism of Government Inaction

Roberto Guzmán Rodríguez, director of the civil association Red Positiva de Quintana Roo, criticized authorities for insufficient action. "It is alarming that the numbers continue to rise. Not enough is being done in terms of prevention, and if society and government do not reverse this trend, the state could face a deeper health crisis," he emphasized.

Guzmán Rodríguez attributed the surge to several factors:

• Insufficient promotion of testing
• Lack of sexual education and prevention campaigns
• Shifting risk behaviors among youth and adolescents

Federal Procurement Crisis Compounds Challenges

The situation worsened after the Mexican federal government annulled the bidding process for medical supplies and medications for 2025 and 2026. On April 8, the Ministry of Public Administration notified Birmex, the agency responsible for procurement, of the cancellation of bulk purchases intended for the healthcare system.

While it remains unclear whether antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) are affected, Guzmán Rodríguez expressed concern: "If the bidding process was voided, there will be more delays and problems. ARVs are in a separate package, but we don’t know if they were purchased. Except for efavirenz, which is rarely used now, there is no certainty about anything."

The lack of effective strategies and potential medication shortages threaten to exacerbate the crisis, particularly for vulnerable populations in Quintana Roo.