Hotel Staff Protest Harassment at Sedena-Run Resort

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Employees of the "Mundo Maya Tulum" hotel, administered by Grupo Mundo Maya—a company linked to Mexico's Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena)—staged a peaceful protest this past weekend to denounce poor labor treatment and acts of harassment by one of the establishment's managers.

The protest took place outside the hotel, located near the Tren Maya station. The primary complaint was directed at Marco Antonio Torres Martínez, the assistant rooms manager, whom employees accuse of exercising a despotic and inflexible leadership style to the point of engaging in workplace harassment. According to testimonies, his treatment of staff has deteriorated the work environment and generated constant conflict.

One of the affected workers, María del Carmen Ruiz López from the public services area, recounted that she was forced by Torres Martínez to attend a training course despite having informed him that she could not go because she was on the verge of an asthma attack. She attended nonetheless, but during the course began to feel ill and had to leave the room because she could not breathe. A colleague retrieved her inhaler from her locker, which prevented a more serious situation.

"It is no small matter; there isn't even an ambulance here," declared Ruiz López, visibly upset. "We are not animals, and I am not a child to have to ask for permission if I feel unwell," she added.

Other employees also expressed their dissatisfaction with the assistant manager's treatment and showed concern upon hearing that he would be left in charge of the hotel. This follows the confirmed potential transfer of General Adolfo Héctor Tonatiuh Velazco Bernal, who had until now served as a supportive figure for the staff.

"How is it possible that they would remove him and leave the bad one. Mr. Marcos is all about giving orders, but he doesn't even know how to work. He doesn't get up from his office," said one employee on condition of anonymity, referring to Torres Martínez.

However, consequences for those who spoke out were not long in coming. According to gathered testimonies, several workers who participated in the protest were called that same day to the Human Resources department, where their cell phones were taken away and they were pressured to sign voluntary resignation letters.

To date, neither the hotel administration nor Sedena authorities have issued an official position on these events. The workers are calling for the intervention of labor authorities to stop the alleged abuses and guarantee their rights.