Unpaid Municipal Debt Worsens Garbage Crisis on Holbox

Holbox, Quintana Roo — Large flooded areas, mud-covered streets and piles of accumulated garbage are visible across several parts of Holbox during the island’s busy tourist season, drawing complaints from residents and tourism operators.

Much of the frustration is aimed at the Lázaro Cárdenas municipal government, led by Nivardo Mena, which is accused of owing six months of unpaid fees to Eco-V, the company responsible for collecting waste on the island. The missing payments are said to have disrupted the service and contributed to the buildup of trash.

Residents also point to allegations that roughly 300 people on the municipal payroll are so-called “aviadores,” or ghost employees, who collect salaries without performing any work. According to the accusations, that arrangement weighs on the municipality’s finances and limits the funds available for basic services.

The conditions are especially worrying because Holbox is in the middle of one of its busiest periods of the year, driven by whale shark season. Visitors arriving for the season are finding streets covered in mud, standing water and uncollected waste.

The situation has begun to stir discontent among island residents, who are calling for an immediate solution that restores garbage collection and improves conditions on the island. They warn that hundreds of families depend on tourism and could be hurt if the problems persist.