Sargazo crisis slashes Playa del Carmen restaurant sales by 90%

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Business owners in Playa del Carmen’s tourism sector are facing severe financial losses as massive quantities of sargazo, a type of seaweed, continue to inundate the region’s beaches. The foul odor emitted by the decomposing algae has driven away customers, with restaurant owners reporting a staggering 90% decline in sales.

Tourism Sector in Crisis

Lenin Amaro Betancur, President of the Tourism Commission and Coordinator of the Southeast Region for the National Council of Regional Business Associations, denounced the alarming accumulation of decomposing sargazo in Playa del Carmen. The noxious fumes not only repel tourists—leading to cancellations and complaints from visitors unable to enter the sea—but also pose significant health risks.

Amaro Betancur explained that if the influx of sargazo is not addressed immediately, the seaweed decomposes rapidly, releasing hazardous substances and foul odors. Tourists who attempt to dine at beachfront restaurants often leave upon encountering the stench, canceling orders before even reviewing menus.

Government Response Under Scrutiny

Quintana Roo Governor Mara Lezama and Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado have announced meetings with officials from all levels of government to coordinate cleanup efforts for the hundreds of tons of sargazo washing ashore. However, reports indicate that cleanup crews are either insufficient or ineffective, despite previous claims by former President Andrés Manuel López Obrador about specialized sargazo-cleaning machinery.

If the issue remains unresolved, experts warn of further cancellations during the peak July-August season and the critical December holiday period. The situation could worsen from September through early December, as hurricane season typically reduces tourism by up to 50%.

Economic Impact on Quintana Roo

Quintana Roo welcomed over 21 million tourists in 2024, with Cancún and Playa del Carmen accounting for more than 120,000 hotel rooms and ranking as the country’s top foreign revenue generators. Cozumel remains the leading cruise destination, while Tulum, Isla Mujeres, Holbox, and Bacalar Lagoon contribute smaller but significant numbers. The unchecked sargazo crisis threatens to bankrupt local businesses, particularly restaurants.

Political Developments: No Constitutional Reforms Expected

Meanwhile, in Mexico’s Congress, leaders of the ruling Morena party, including Senators Ricardo Monreal and Adán Augusto López, have agreed to hold extraordinary sessions later this month. Monreal and Chamber of Deputies President Sergio Gutiérrez assured that no constitutional reforms would be introduced, only legal amendments requiring a simple majority of 251 deputies and 65 senators.

Condemnation of Censorship Against Journalists

PRI Senator Alejandro Moreno condemned Campeche Governor Layda Sansores for what he described as authoritarian actions against journalists, specifically targeting Jorge Luis González and Diario Tribuna. Moreno accused Sansores of suppressing free speech, stating, “Closing a media outlet and silencing journalists is characteristic of repressive regimes, not democracies.”

In Tamaulipas, journalist Héctor de Mauleón faced legal pressure to remove a column from El Universal investigating fuel theft networks allegedly financing political campaigns. PRI Deputy Rubén Moreira criticized the move as an unprecedented attack on press freedom.

Lotería Nacional Honors Indigenous Women

In a separate event, Lotería Nacional Director Olivia Salomón and Chiapas Governor Eduardo Ramírez unveiled a commemorative lottery ticket for the June 20 Superior Draw, honoring the Indigenous Maya woman known as the “Lady of the Red Queen.” The draw coincides with the designation of 2025 as the “Year of the Indigenous Woman.”