Taxi-Uber Clashes Resurface in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo – Two new episodes of aggression and harassment by taxi drivers against drivers for the Uber platform were recently captured on video in Playa del Carmen, reigniting the conflict between traditional transportation and digital applications in this tourist destination.

The first incident occurred near the Paradisus Playa del Carmen resort. The footage shows two taxi drivers confronting and even striking an Uber driver on a public street, creating a visible atmosphere of tension for tourists and passersby. The affected driver maintained a defensive posture, with no apparent presence of authorities during the incident; he subsequently started his vehicle and fled.

The second case was recorded a block from the intersection of Avenida Juárez and Calle 10, a high-traffic urban area for vehicles and pedestrians. At this location, a taxi driver berated the driver of an Uber vehicle, warning him that he could not pick up passengers there. The passenger, who recorded the altercation, came to the driver’s defense, at which point the taxi driver attempted to snatch her cell phone.

Both videos show the repeated involvement of several taxi drivers, the absence of authorities during the confrontation, and actions of surrounding and intimidation directed at drivers for digital platforms.

These incidents add to a long series of conflicts recorded in Quintana Roo since the arrival of digital transportation platforms, a problem that has led to repeated calls for dialogue, respect for the law, and intervention by authorities to guarantee safety and free mobility.

To date, there has been no report of arrests or an official stance regarding these specific events.