Mexican Media Exposes Cancun Taxi Airport Scammers’ Ties To Local Officials
Members of Mexico’s National Guard would be working together with illegal taxi operators at Cancun International Airport (AIC), a local media outlet reports.
This fact was evident on April 18 when a Canadian tourist named Xavier Cornier was scammed by a taxi driver identified as Eduardo G., who was working at the airport without a legal permit in a taxi labeled “Airport Taxi.”
Two security guards made the Canadian believe he wasn’t allowed to stay at Terminal 3 and that he had to move to Terminal 4, by taxi, because he also wasn’t allowed to do it on foot. They also insisted he had to pay by credit card an amount of $5. They didn’t mention that the inter-terminal shuttle service was free and operating as usual.
Cornier arrived at Terminal 4, where he was charged $528.14 Canadian dollars, twice!
After a fight in which the driver also tried to steal his belongings, two police officers forced the driver to reimburse the tourist. The driver was taken into custody a few days later but he was quickly released because Cornier didn’t press any charges.
The case has been seen by more than 6 million TikTok users who followed 6 viral videos posted by Cornier. Many of the viewers claimed they had similar experiences at this airport.
According to Alejandro García from Quequi News, efforts implemented to eradicate illegal transportation at Cancun International Airport are “a lie” because it is known that members of the National Guard as well as some politicians own many of these taxis.
“Irregular operators are underhanded and even protected by members of the corporation [National Guard] since it’s an open secret that many of these units [illegal taxis] are owned by officials and local politicians,” said García.
According to legally established airport taxi companies, illegal taxis at Cancun International Airport would be more than 900 units.
Last October, representatives of the National Chamber of Passenger and Tourism Transportation (Canapat) met with members of the National Guard to discuss strategies to combat illegal transportation at Cancun Airport.
“Unfortunately, these individuals create a negative reputation that spreads everywhere. I think this should be sanctioned by the National Guard or the corresponding authority. Asur must cancel concessions as a punishment for those who take advantage of tourists and don’t think how much they are affecting the destination,” said Jesús Almaguer Salazar, President of the Hotel Association of Cancún, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres.
According to García, “the corruption chain” begins in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), the entity that authorizes the issuance of licenses without the presentation of required legal documents.
