Bacalar, Quintana Roo — Residents blocked the Chetumal-Bacalar highway early Friday morning for nearly five hours to protest persistent power outages they blame on the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE). The blockade, which began shortly after 1 a.m., caused traffic chaos and tense confrontations with stranded truckers and tourists.
Protesters said the power supply has been irregular for more than a week across 11 neighborhoods in the municipal seat and the coastal zone of Bacalar, as well as in 49 communities throughout the municipality. The outages have damaged appliances, disrupted businesses, schools, and health centers, and made it difficult to preserve food amid high temperatures.
Despite multiple complaints filed with the state-owned utility, residents said no lasting solution or compensation for damages has been offered. Frustrated, dozens of neighbors organized and blocked the road near a tourist stop, using rocks, logs, and even a water tank placed across the asphalt. The action paralyzed traffic on one of the most important routes in southern Quintana Roo, used for transporting goods and tourists to Chetumal and the Riviera Maya.
The blockade caused significant disruption. Truckers carrying perishable goods were stuck, and tourists heading to Chetumal International Airport missed their flights. Tensions flared at times, with arguments and near-confrontations between protesters and desperate drivers. Only sick people, ambulances, and emergency vehicles were allowed through.
Municipal police, state police, and National Guard officers arrived to prevent violence but did not attempt to clear the blockade. Protesters said they would not yield until CFE personnel came to negotiate an immediate solution, and they claimed to be organized to resist any forced removal.
Shortly before 6 a.m., the road was reopened after CFE crews arrived to address the complaints and begin repairs on the electrical grid. Following the utility’s commitment to keep staff in the area until power is fully restored, residents removed the barricades and allowed traffic to resume.
Residents demanded that CFE not only restore service but also present a comprehensive plan to prevent future failures and evaluate compensation for damages to homes and businesses during more than a week of intermittent blackouts.
