Taxi Union Leader Returns Amid Murder, Crime Probe

Cancún, Mexico — Rubén Carrillo, a local deputy for the Labor Party (PT), resumed his duties as secretary general of the taxi union "Andrés Quintana Roo" on Wednesday after a temporary leave requested just days before the murder of one of his closest collaborators. His return comes amid an unprecedented crisis for the organization.

Murder and Allegations of Criminal Infiltration

The slain official was José Luis Corral Morales, who served as Carrillo’s political advisor and campaign manager. On October 25, 2024, Corral was intercepted by armed assailants upon arriving at his home and subsequently abducted. His body was discovered five days later, on October 30, in a brush-covered area along the Cancún-Mérida highway. He had been shot multiple times and showed signs of torture.

The murder triggered a sweeping investigation, which uncovered alleged links between union leaders and organized crime groups. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the case: Salomón Alfonso Muñoz, alias "Mafer," who had assumed interim leadership of the union during Carrillo’s absence, and Óscar Antonio Solís, a union commissioner. Both were identified as alleged masterminds behind the killing.

A raid on the union’s offices revealed further alarming evidence, including drugs, ammunition, and a torture chamber, suggesting deep criminal infiltration within the organization. The Quintana Roo State Attorney General’s Office continues to investigate the case to bring all responsible parties to justice.

Carrillo’s Return and Pledges for Reform

In his reinstatement speech, Carrillo reaffirmed his commitment to the union’s more than 20,000 members, asserting that his return reflects the democratic will of the rank-and-file workers.

"I take up this responsibility again with the firm conviction to remain at the helm of the union, especially at this critical moment when the decisions we make and the strategic alliances we forge will shape the future of our guild in the coming years," he stated.

Despite public distrust, Carrillo insisted the union is undergoing a transformation that demands unity, legitimate leadership, and adherence to the law. He emphasized there is no room for divisions or external interests that do not align with the workers’ needs.

As part of his agenda, Carrillo outlined plans to modernize taxi services, improve labor conditions, strengthen institutional ties with authorities, and defend the union’s collective concessions.