Officials in Quintana Roo Award Lucrative Contracts to Unqualified Designer

Benito Juárez's mayor, Ana Patricia Peralta de la Peña, Bacalar's mayor José Chepe Contreras, and former Quintana Roo public works director, Irazu Sarabia May, have controversially awarded contracts totalling $12,837,857.60 MXN to Edwin Hidalgo Sandoval, a graphic designer for the Sol Quintana Roo newspaper. Despite Sandoval's lack of relevant experience and financial stability, these contracts were granted, raising questions about potential favoritism at the expense of Quintana Roo taxpayers.

The first contract awarded to Sandoval, valued at $6,692,410.33 MXN, was from Mayor Ana Paty Peralta. The contract, number MBJ-DGOP 33-32-2023, was for the construction of a roof in the teaching area of a sports court and the rehabilitation of another sports court at the Belisario Dominguez Secondary School in Cancun, Quintana Roo. However, Mayor Peralta has denied public access to the details of these projects, despite citizens' rights to understand how public funds are being spent.

The second contract was granted by the Secretary of Public Works, Irazu Sarabia May. This contract, numbered FAFEF-OP-008/2023, was for the construction of pavements, curbs, and sidewalks in the Ampliación Nueva Generación neighborhood in Chetumal, Quintana Roo.

In addition, Bacalar's mayor, José Chepe Contreras, awarded Sandoval a contract worth $1,798,733.38 MXN for the construction, rehabilitation, and equipment of a cultural and/or artistic center in Bacalar. This contract, number MB-DGOPDUEMA IRP3-FAISMUN-026-2023, was awarded in September 2023.

These public works contracts, which have previously been used to bolster the image of officials, have come under scrutiny as there are no records of the work that Sandoval was contracted to complete.