Mayor’s Firm Stance on Playa del Carmen Protest

Playa del Carmen, Mexico — Mayor Estefanía Mercado has taken a firm stance following a blockade that occurred on Thursday evening, when residents of the irregular settlement San Judas Tadeo closed off Playa del Carmen Boulevard. The protest was held to demand the release of their leader, who was detained for alleged extortion. The closure affected workers, tourists, and residents traveling along the southern entrance to the city for several hours.

Official Response from Estefanía Mercado Regarding the Blockade

"We will not allow anarchy in Playa del Carmen," stated Estefanía Mercado, indicating that the group had installed an illegal blockade that jeopardized the mobility and security of thousands of people.

She explained that an attempt was made to engage in dialogue with the support of the Attorney General's Office, as well as state and federal forces; however, faced with the group's refusal to disperse, authorities acted "with order, authority, and within the law."

The mayor reiterated that the right to protest is guaranteed, but no group is permitted to close public roads or infringe upon the rights of others. "Blocking roads is a crime, and the law will be applied without exceptions," she emphasized.

Impacts and Operation to Clear the Road

The blockade, which lasted more than four hours, led to confrontations between protesters and police officers, resulting in several arrests. During the events, local journalists reported attempts to intimidate them while they were carrying out their coverage.

The closure began around 7:30 p.m., when residents of San Judas Tadeo demanded the release of their leader, who had been linked to legal proceedings by a control judge following his arrest for extortion. The affected location is the main access point between Playa del Carmen, Cancún, and the Riviera Maya.

Authorities confirmed that traffic flow was finally restored around 11:30 p.m.