Tourists arriving in Quintana Roo face the challenge of finding safe transportation. The taxi drivers’ union monopolizes and abuses rates in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Despite Uber obtaining an injunction, it has led to violent confrontations.
Recent Incidents
In the last two months, over 60 attacks on app-based vehicles have been reported. Additionally, the airport security chief and hotel employees who allow access to app-based taxis have been assaulted.
Leadership Implications
Leaders of the Cancun taxi drivers, Salomon Alfonso Muñoz, Oscar Antonio Solis, and Juan Manuel “N” (already arrested), have been implicated in murder. During a search on November 4 at the union’s facilities in Cancun, drugs and live ammunition were found, adding to accusations of extortion and drug dealing.
Public Reactions
A woman commented on the situation, saying, “Here you see a taxi driver attacking an Uber. Foreigners are scared.” The state Attorney General’s Office has promised to revoke the licenses of those involved.
Government Response
A few weeks ago, tourists were attacked by taxi drivers in Playa del Carmen when their car was mistaken for an Uber. In response, the Attorney General’s Office confiscated two taxis over the weekend. President Mara Lezama’s administration demanded that the state prosecutor’s office charge the taxi drivers involved in acts of violence.
“Licenses will be canceled because someone who goes out in their car to provide a service and ends up getting into a fight, hurting another human being, with terrible violence, cannot have a driver’s license. We are revoking them, responsibilities are being established,” said Lezama.
“The prosecutor’s office must go to the bottom of each of these crimes. Let there be no impunity, we will not allow it, and let there be repercussions for those who break the law. They must not endanger the integrity of any human being or passenger, and tourist destinations must not be harmed.”
The state prosecutor’s office has already arrested at least eight union leaders and taxi drivers in Cancun and Playa del Carmen, implicated in assaults, homicides, and drug trafficking.
Source: Zocalo
