Yucatán Governor Confirms Border Security After Denials

Mérida, Yucatán — Eight days after it was reported that the state would be fortified following narco-blockades recorded in the Chunhuhub area and the border with Quintana Roo, Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena publicly confirmed the strategy that was initially denied, minimized, and discredited by authorities and official spokespersons.

What was previously dismissed as “exaggeration” or “false information” is now official discourse.

During the State Roundtable for Peace and Security Construction, the state governor acknowledged that in 2026, security efforts will be redoubled, with a central focus: fortifying state borders and blocking the passage of criminals attempting to enter from neighboring entities.

“There is no deeper responsibility than safeguarding the peace and security of Yucatecan families… we will redouble efforts by strengthening the security strategy, fortifying our state borders, and closing the passage to crime,” stated Díaz Mena from the C5i command center.

These statements confirm point by point what was published on January 23, just hours after highway blockades, vehicle burnings, and armed deployments in Chunhuhub, Polyuc, Ramonal, and sections of the Chetumal-Mérida highway, following the arrest of priority targets linked to the Caborca criminal group.

In that report titled “Fortifying Yucatán,” this outlet documented—based on security sources—that state and federal forces had already begun closing and guarding strategic access points, reinforcing highways, trails, and entrances to Mérida, with the goal of preventing armed incursions and spillover effects from violence generated in Quintana Roo.

Far from acknowledging the situation, authorities remained silent, denied the scenario, and allowed this outlet to be accused of “alarming” the population. Today, the governor himself validates that information.

During his message, Díaz Mena went further by admitting that Yucatán is not isolated from problems coming from outside and that action will be taken to prevent violence from crossing state borders.

“We will not allow the peace that has cost us so much to build to be broken,” he said, while also speaking about combating visible crimes and those that “hurt in silence,” such as robbery, fraud, extortion, and digital crimes.

The context is significant. The Chunhuhub blockades occurred after the capture of Shadani Lorena “N,” wife of Irán Interián, alias “El Gemelo,” leader of the Caborca group in southern Quintana Roo, an organization also linked to the Dzilam González massacre. Those events triggered an unprecedented federal deployment with helicopters, drones, and armed convoys.

Today, the official discourse aligns with what was warned: inter-institutional coordination, border fortification, and blocking passage to criminal structures. During the same security roundtable, the governor announced the appointment of Alejandro Ríos Covián as the new delegate of the Attorney General’s Office (FGR) in Yucatán, reinforcing federal coordination in the state.

In an environment where security is often handled with silence and euphemisms, reality has finally caught up with official discourse. And what was attempted to be denied a week ago is now presented as government strategy.

Exclusive Report from Last Week

This was the information that was published last week after the events in Chunhuhub following the capture of Shadani Lorena “N,” wife of Irán Interián, alias “El Gemelo”:

Fortifying Yucatán!

• Amid escalating violence on the border with Quintana Roo, unofficial sources report that the state could activate Code Red.
• State and federal forces have begun the absolute fortification of all access points to Yucatán and main entrances to the capital, Mérida.
• The objective is to halt any incursion by armed convoys attempting to destabilize peace in the state following the capture of priority targets.
• The detainee, Shadani Lorena “N,” is the wife of Irán Interián, alias “El Gemelo,” leader of the Caborca group in the southern zone and brother of Keni Interián, implicated in the Dzilam González case.

Mérida, January 22. — Amid escalating violence on the border with Quintana Roo, unofficial sources report that the state of Yucatán could activate Code Red in the coming hours. The measure responds to narco-blockades with vehicles burned on federal highways, executed by criminal cells attempting to rescue the wife of the Caborca Cartel leader, Shadani Lorena “N.”

In a national security operation, state and federal forces have begun the absolute fortification of all access points to Yucatán and main entrances to the capital, Mérida. The objective is to halt any incursion by armed convoys attempting to destabilize peace in the state following the capture of priority targets.

Authorities have already reinforced toll booths, trails, and federal highways, as well as deployed tactical units from the State Public Security Secretariat (SSP), National Defense Secretariat (Sedena), and National Guard.

Extreme surveillance aims to prevent the conflict in the neighboring state from crossing the Yucatecan border and generating panic among the population.

Citizens remain on edge awaiting an official statement from the Secretary of Public Security, Luis Felipe Saidén Ojeda. A press conference is expected in the coming hours to detail the operation’s specifics and confirm the security status in the region.

The public is advised to stay informed through official channels and avoid non-essential travel to border areas with Quintana Roo.

Maximum Tension

A night of maximum tension is unfolding in the southern zone of the state following an inter-institutional operation that achieved the capture of key figures from the Caborca Cartel. The detention of Shadani Lorena “N,” alleged operator of the organization, triggered a violent criminal response with highway blockades and mobilization of federal forces by air and land.

Agents from the Specialized Investigation Police (PEI) of Yucatán, together with the National Defense Secretariat (Sedena), dealt a blow to the criminal structure linked to the recent massacre in Dzilam González.

Those detained in this operation are Shadani Lorena “N,” wife of Irán Interián, alias “El Gemelo,” leader of the Caborca group in the southern zone and brother of Keni Interián, implicated in the case and currently detained in Yucatán.

Also detained was an unidentified individual, identified as the main person in charge of carrying out kidnappings and homicides in the Limones and Chunhuhub areas.

During the intervention, which was reported without injuries, authorities managed to seize high-power military equipment such as grenade launchers, long and short firearms, as well as shipments of alleged drugs.

In retaliation for his wife’s capture, “El Gemelo” ordered the closure of exits toward Morelos, Pol Yuc, and Bacalar, using vehicles to impede the passage of state and federal authorities.

Faced with the siege, immediate support was requested from the Navy and National Guard, who deployed helicopters and light aircraft to overfly the conflict zone and ensure the extraction of detainees to safe areas.

The inter-institutional operation remains active. An official statement is expected in the coming hours with the final tally of detainees and the restoration of vehicular flow on affected highways.