Armed group patrols Riviera Maya beach in viral video

Riviera Maya, Mexico — A video circulating on social media platform X has generated controversy this weekend after users reported the presence of allegedly armed men patrolling the beach area in front of the Dorado Seaside hotel in the Riviera Maya, apparently with the intention of preventing access to visitors and residents.

The complaint was published by user @JJDíazMachuca, who stated that armed personnel were patrolling the coastal strip to intimidate those walking through the Federal Maritime Terrestrial Zone (Zofemat), a space that by law must remain free for public use for at least 20 meters contiguous to the highest tide.

In the video, the alleged guard — wearing tactical uniform and carrying a long weapon — approaches a visitor walking in front of the hotel complex.

The citizen explains that he is within the area permitted by Mexican legislation and has no intention of entering private property.

The supposed guard responds that he has no problem with him continuing, although he remains following his path at a short distance.

The visitor chooses to walk away along the beach, without invading the boundaries marked by law.

During the recording, no direct warnings or physical aggression are observed, but the carrying of the weapon and close surveillance generated annoyance among social media users, who questioned the de facto privatization of the Mexican coastline.

“Aren’t beaches supposed to belong to Mexicans, Governor @MaraLezama? Armed people chase him from the Tulum beach at the Dorado Sea Side hotel,” wrote José Díaz (@JJDiazMachuca) on December 5, 2025, accompanying the video.

Various comments demanded intervention from federal, state, and municipal authorities, recalling that beaches are national assets and must remain accessible to anyone, without illegal restrictions or acts of intimidation.

Tulum residents condemned these actions, which tarnish the image of a destination that has been affected by other similar actions and excessive charges in the past year.

Esteban Ramírez, a resident of the city, stated that situations like this should not occur in Tulum, and that beaches should be free.

For her part, Josefina Monrroy said that these types of actions are what have caused the loss of tourism, which affects not only businesses but also citizens, by stopping receiving income with the decrease in visitors, since everyone in the city depends directly or indirectly on tourist activity.

Other citizens who preferred to omit their names mentioned that authorities should take action to prevent incidents like this from occurring, condemning the attitude of the company that hired the guards, who demonstrated they were neither trained nor knowledgeable about the law.

This incident adds to other episodes documented in recent months, where tourists and residents have reported blockades, arbitrary restrictions, and presence of private security in coastal areas of Tulum, despite legislation establishing free access to the public use strip.

As of the closing of this report, no environmental, tourism, or public safety authority has issued an official position on the presence of armed personnel on beaches or on the viral complaint that continues to generate debate on social media.