Conferencia de prensa matutina desde Tulum, Quintana Roo. Viernes 17 de julio 2026

Summary of the morning press conference (Tulum, Quintana Roo — Fri. 17 July 2026)

1) Quintana Roo security report: homicide and “high-impact” crime down sharply

• The Governor, Mara Lesama Espinoza, opened by emphasizing progress under the federal “Fourth Transformation” agenda and highlighted reductions in poverty and major public investment (infrastructure, hospitals, transport, housing, sports facilities, and security spaces).
• The security cabinet presented crime incidence reporting (figures up to June 30, 2026), including:
  • Intentional homicides down ~85% during the current administration period, from about 2 homicides/day (Sep 2024) to 0.33/day (June 2026).
  • June 2026 cited as the lowest level in the last 12 years, with a ~57% reduction vs June 2025.
  • Tulum specifically reported zero homicides for May and June, and zero in July so far (as of the report).
  • High-impact crimes (e.g., robbery with violence, extortion, kidnapping) show a reversal and ~15% reduction between 2025 and 2026.
  • Vehicle theft projected down ~19% in 2026 vs the 2025 daily average, potentially making 2026 the lowest year in a decade.

2) Security cabinet operational results: arrests, seizures, and targeted operations

Omar García Jarfuch (Security and Citizen Protection) outlined a national-security coordination model involving federal and state institutions, focused on priority targets and criminal networks. Reported figures included:

• ~3,800 arrests (Oct 1, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026) for high-impact crimes.
• Major seizures:
  • 6,600 kg of drugs
  • 760 firearms
  • 28,000+ cartridges and 13 magazines
  • Dismantling of a clandestine methamphetamine production lab
• In the first half of 2026: 25 operational events, 63 arrests, and additional drug and weapons seizures.

Cross-border / international-target examples included:

• Five high-priority targets arrested in operations in Benito Juárez, Playa del Carmen, and Cancún (linked to Interpol red notices).
• Arrests connected to drug trafficking and organized violence networks, including:
  • Miguel N, allegedly responsible for attacks on establishments in Playa del Carmen.
  • Arrests tied to tax fraud and “illicit origin resources” via operations in Michoacán, Jalisco, and Quintana Roo (multiple warrants; company-linked investigations).
  • A human trafficking case in Tulum involving minors under 18.

3) Tourism action plan for Tulum beaches and the archaeological access (Jaguar Park)

Josefina Rodríguez (Tourism) reported progress from a coordination table and a meeting with tourism stakeholders. The strategy aims to:

• “Guarantee tourism”
• Improve access
• Change the visitor experience through monitoring, regulation, and infrastructure updates

Included actions:

• 10 public beach access points opened, with assurances that beaches are free and open daily for locals and visitors.
• Establishment of 24/7 monitoring, including review/verification of tourism service providers in protected natural areas.

Planning/management measures included:

• Ecological programs and urban development updates
• Protected-area management planning
• Public access registry
• Sargassum collection/cleaning strategy
• Promotion and tourism training/certification
• A cultural-sports program and an upcoming night illumination + artisan corridor for the archaeological zone (inauguration planned for November)

Key policy change for costs and access

A central announcement involved reconfiguration of access and fees tied to Jaguar Park and beach/archaeological movement:

• Entry to Jaguar Park is completely free for all visitors (no payment to enter the park).
• Transportation within the park:
  • An electric transport option costs 20 pesos (described as comparable to the previous small “train” cost)
  • Alternatively, visitors may walk from a closer traditional entrance (~300–400 meters)
• Archaeological site and protected natural area fees were said to be reduced significantly vs 2022, with differentiated totals described as:
  • 80 pesos for protected natural area / archaeological zone entries
  • 265 pesos for a full tour for domestic and foreign visitors (as presented in remarks)
• Infrastructure/access fixes:
  • Modification of the traditional entrance wall that blocked views and created complaints; replaced by a more open mesh-type arch/gate built by military engineers
  • At the south entrance, installation of an ecological parking lot to access beaches and the archaeological site via the south side
  • Additional activities and improved internal access flow to visitor centers (CATBI/CATVI references)

4) Sargassum: new offshore-capture and recycling plan

Responding to questions about mounting sargassum and claims of misinformation/campaigns against the destination, the administration argued:

• Sargassum is natural and international, but the government is acting with a comprehensive program
• The state says it has invested 700+ million pesos (boats and operations)
• A monitoring system (including C5) and satellite-based verification are used to manage expectations and deployment

New focus:

• Collect sargassum at sea (offshore) to prevent beach impacts
• Planned steps include:
  • Purchasing/expanding sargassum-collecting capacity (more boats; one expected to arrive)
  • Building barriers in coordination with hotels
  • Transporting material to a center for recycling into economic uses (biogas, fertilizers, materials), emphasizing collection methods that avoid harming reefs/coastlines

5) Tourism and aviation: Mexico sees growth despite reduced international capacity

In Q&A about declining airline seats, officials stated:

• Mexico had record international tourism from January to May, with 42+ million visitors (+8% vs 2025) and 22 million overnight tourists (+6%+, per the remarks’ context)
• They attributed global reductions to external factors such as jet fuel costs, noting airline frequency reductions rather than widespread cancellations
• Strategy mentioned:
  • Mexico opened 72 new routes (including international) in the first semester
  • Continued coordination with airlines to sustain frequencies and destinations

6) Energy/power outages question

• The federal electricity strategy was attributed primarily to CFE, framed as a transmission-line capacity issue more than generation shortfalls
• Planned investment cited: 200,000,000,000+ pesos to strengthen transmission lines, including in southeastern Mexico and specifically aimed at reducing problems in Quintana Roo

7) Fuel theft / smuggling investigation (and former Baja California governor question)

A major portion of Q&A and later statements addressed reporting about a “fuel theft network” investigation:

• The administration defended actions as criminal investigations supported by evidence, emphasizing zero impunity
• Officials described an alleged network involving irregular import, marketing, and distribution of petroleum derivatives, including:
  • Misdeclaration of quantities/products and tax evasion
  • Customs and involvement of authorized personnel
  • Rail transport and transfers to tankers/trucks
• The investigation began after reported seizure of 33 rail tank cars (July 2025, Coahuila)
• A total of 25 targets was mentioned; eight arrest warrants executed (others pending completion)
• The former Baja California governor Ernesto Ruffo was referenced in questions; the response stressed that determinations are for the judiciary based on evidence
• The administration denied the issue is political, stating it is evidence-based and part of broader anti–fuel-smuggling actions
• Additional discussion included claims that investigations affect municipal officials across parties

8) Other Q&A items: hurricanes/alerts, extortion by public officials, foreign policy event

• Hurricane alert system: described as based on forecasts/probabilities; officials referenced stronger Pacific cyclones under El Niño patterns
  • They noted an alert-readiness development timeline of about two months and expanding ocean data collection with additional buoys
• Extortion & impersonation:
  • Officials said extortion complaints involving alleged public officials are under investigation
  • They reported arrests (example: traffic officers) and removal of at least one official from office, with continued verification
• US event / “extreme left-wing terrorism” summit:
  • Mexico reportedly chose not to attend due to perceived political framing rather than direct security/legal objectives

9) Closing remarks: earthquake update

• A 6.8 magnitude earthquake was referenced late in the conference narrative (the exact magnitude described as “still unknown” in the narration)
• Reported impact: no serious damage
• Authorities advised distancing from beaches due to possible tsunami-related water level rise (~0.5 m) while awaiting further details, with plans to issue a nationwide statement

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Presenters / contributors (as named in the subtitles)

• Mara Lesama Espinoza — Governor of Quintana Roo
• Omar García Jarfuch — Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection
• Ricardo Trevilla Trejo — (named as General Secretary)
• Raimundo Pedro Morales Ángeles — Admiral Secretary
• Alicia Bácena — Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources
• Claudia Curiel — Secretary of Culture
• Luisa María Alcalde — Legal Advisor
• Rosa Isela Rodríguez — Secretary of the Interior (subtitle includes an additional name after it)
• Marcela Figueroa — Head of the Executive Secretariat of Security
• Sebastián Ramírez — Head of FONATUR
• Omar Vázquez — Director of (referenced in subtitles; exact office not fully specified)
• Josefina Rodríguez — Secretary of Tourism
• Bulmaro — mentioned as present “at the end” of the conference
• Erika González — press (cited in Q&A)
• Edgardo Rodríguez — press (cited in Q&A)
• Victor Hugo Vargas — press (cited in Q&A)
• Cristiana Escudero — press (cited in Q&A)
• Fernanda García — press (cited in Q&A)
• Néstor Jiménez — press (cited in Q&A)
• Rafael Montes — press (cited in Q&A)
• Bishabel Nojoch — speech fragment contributor (amaranth/ceremonial remarks)
• María Emilia Calleja — mentioned in the power outages question (CFE representative implied)
• Unnamed “Madam President” figure — referenced as Claudia Sheinbaum (name rendered inconsistently in transcription)