Cancún, Quintana Roo — Self-styled motivational speaker Ricardo Ponce has announced a new emotional healing event in Cancún, renewing public attention to allegations that he led a sex cult in Bacalar.
In a post on social media, Ponce said the event would take place at the Toro Valenzuela dome, a venue managed by the Benito Juárez Institute of Sport and Physical Culture. He did not give a date, and the dome’s official events calendar does not list the gathering. For Aug. 2, the only scheduled activity is a donation drive organized by local legislator Jimena Lasa.
Despite the controversy that has followed him since 2021, Ponce continues to promote courses, conferences and retreats focused on self-healing and emotional release through his website and digital platforms.
Bacalar allegations
In 2021, Ponce’s name drew national attention after investigators from the Quintana Roo State Prosecutor’s Office searched the Hotel Akalki in Bacalar as part of an investigation into a complaint against him alleging abuse.
That year, content creator Maire Winks posted a video describing her experience at one of Ponce’s retreats and said she had been a victim of an alleged sex cult. Her account triggered a wide debate online, with the hashtag #RicardoPonceAbusador trending and prompting others to share testimonials. The public complaints and media investigations have not resulted in a criminal conviction.
Retreats priced up to 75,000 pesos
Investigative reports documented that Ponce’s retreats in Bacalar were offered for as much as 75,000 Mexican pesos, reportedly covering lodging, meals, group activities and materials. Some reports also described VIP packages with additional costs and collected further allegations from the period.
Background
A Cancún native, Ponce rose to prominence as a motivational speaker promoting a method he calls self-healing and emotional release. He continues to offer courses and personal development experiences online, where he recently advertised the new Cancún event.
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