On Sunday, tensions flared on the Yucatán coast as a Canadian woman clashed with a local family who were camping on Santa Clara Beach. The woman, identified as Linda Gagnom, attempted to evict the family, arguing loudly in English that they were trespassing on “private property.” The altercation escalated when Gagnom resorted to throwing eggs at the family’s vehicle.
The family, hoping to enjoy a peaceful day at the beach in the Dzidzantún municipality, captured videos of the incident. In the footage, Gagnom can be seen demanding that they leave, while the family firmly defended their right to be there, citing Mexican laws that guarantee public access to beaches. They also emphasized that they had not entered her property.
One video shows the family’s car stained with egg yolks, evidence of the Canadian woman’s actions to force them off the beach. The confrontation took place near 24-A Street in Santa Clara, where the family had set up their camp.
According to residents, this is not an isolated incident. Previous conflicts in Santa Clara highlight a growing issue of foreign homeowners attempting to restrict access to public coastal areas. In November 2024, an Italian resident, Alessandro Pirozzi, reportedly prohibited local fishermen from setting crab traps near his property, claiming it was his “private sea.”
These recurring disputes have sparked community frustration, drawing attention to the problem of foreign residents attempting to privatize national property. By Mexican law, beaches are considered public and must remain freely accessible. However, the influx of foreign property owners seeking to claim portions of these spaces has created escalating tensions with local communities along the Yucatán coast.
Source: El Heraldo de Mexico
