Shortage of Personnel and Patrols Hinders Green Angels’ Roadside Assistance in Quintana Roo

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Green Angels, Mexico’s federal roadside assistance service, are struggling with a shortage of personnel and patrol vehicles in Quintana Roo, limiting their ability to aid travelers on the state’s highways despite maintaining high productivity.

The agency, which operates under the federal Tourism Secretariat, currently has only 10 operational patrol units and 28 active personnel — down from 18 patrols in previous administrations. Hiring has been frozen for several years, and vacant positions left by retiring officers remain unfilled.

Maintenance of the fleet has also been delayed due to setbacks in the release of funds, according to officials. In September 2024, the service received 10 new vehicles to replace its aging fleet, but upkeep of the newer units has been complicated by budget delays.

Despite these constraints, the Green Angels in Quintana Roo rank between 8th and 10th nationally out of 262 registered routes for productivity, based on the number of services provided. Since the start of the “Verano Mundialista Quintana Roo 2026” operation on June 1 through last week, the agency reported nearly 900 assists benefiting some 2,000 tourists.

On average, the Green Angels perform about 1,000 services per month across the state. The most common issues include flat tires, engine overheating, and breakdowns caused by lack of antifreeze or oil.

Two of the 10 patrols are stationed on Cozumel Island, where they work with support from the state and federal tourism secretariats. The remaining vehicles are based in Cancún, Chetumal, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, and Tulum.

Agency personnel highlighted the importance of the service as an added value for visitors, improving their travel experience on Quintana Roo’s highways.