Residents Block Highway Over Unfair Property Fees in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Residents of the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood staged a protest and partially blocked Federal Highway 307 at the intersection of Avenida 28 de Julio, moving from south to north. The demonstration was organized in response to the failure to comply with a presidential decree issued by former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, which established a fixed fee for processing and obtaining property titles for homes and land in Playa del Carmen’s first neighborhood.

Protest Over Unfulfilled Presidential Decree

At approximately 9:00 a.m., a large group of residents from the Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood—founded 31 years ago as the first settlement in Playa del Carmen—gathered peacefully on Playa del Carmen Boulevard near the intersection of Avenida 28 de Julio and Calle 106 Norte. The protesters partially blocked the southbound lane in response to what they describe as excessive fees imposed by the National Institute of Sustainable Land (INSUS) for property titling.

Chanting “Respect the Presidential Decree,” the demonstrators demanded that authorities adhere to the terms outlined in the decree issued by former President López Obrador. The decree stipulated a flat fee of 25,000 pesos for property titles, regardless of land size or zoning. However, residents now claim that INSUS is charging fees ranging from 200,000 pesos to over one million pesos, depending on the property’s square footage and land use classification.

Accusations Against Authorities

Protesters accused state and municipal officials from INSUS of refusing to honor the presidential decree. Reporters covering the march informed demonstrators that Cristina Torres, Secretary of Government, had stated in an interview that the current fees were not as exorbitant as claimed but promised to review the situation. This response further angered the protesters, who insisted that the government must uphold the agreements made under López Obrador’s administration to provide legal certainty for their properties.

Residents Vow to Escalate Protests

The protesters warned that they are prepared to take further action if their demands are ignored by the state governor and municipal president. They criticized elected officials for only engaging with the community during election campaigns before neglecting their needs once in office.

The Luis Donaldo Colosio neighborhood holds historical significance as the first subdivision established in what is now the municipality of Solidaridad (Playa del Carmen). The residents emphasized their role in the region’s development, noting that the neighborhood’s founding 30 years ago helped populate the then-emerging municipality.

The demonstration remained peaceful but caused temporary traffic disruptions along the busy thoroughfare. Authorities have yet to issue an official response to the protesters’ demands.