A Cuban man, initially identified as Juan "N," aged between 30 and 35, was tragically killed on Saturday night after being shot multiple times on Talleres Avenue in Cancun. According to local reports, two individuals on a motorcycle pursued and opened fire on him before fleeing the scene.
As of now, no suspects have been apprehended, confirmed the authorities in Quintana Roo to 14ymedio.
The shooting took place around 7:30 PM between streets 131 and 133, near block 79 in Region 101 of the Benito Juárez municipality. Residents, alarmed by the sound of gunfire, called the emergency number 911. Paramedics from the Medical Emergency Response Team (ERUM) arrived to find the victim already deceased.
The man was wearing a black t-shirt and blue jeans and had several tattoos. Seven shell casings were discovered at the scene. The body was taken to the Forensic Medical Service for an autopsy and identification.
Direct Attack and Investigation Efforts
An officer, who requested anonymity, described the incident as "a direct attack," explaining that the perpetrators "seemed to have been following him on a motorcycle, and when the opportunity presented itself, they shot him." One line of investigation suggests it might have been a revenge attack.
Authorities are currently reviewing footage from the area’s Command, Control, Computing, Communications, and Citizen Contact Center (C5) cameras to try and identify the culprits. So far, no arrests have been made. The same officer noted that "nobody has come forward to claim the body" and that checks are being made to determine if the victim was in the country legally.
Context of Rising Tensions
Officials have denied any connection between the crime and xenophobic campaigns against the Cuban community, despite the attack occurring just eight kilometers from Las Palapas Park, where the message "Cubans who don't respect Mexico, leave" was painted in early October.
This murder occurs amid increasing tension in Cancun concerning the Cuban migrant population. In late September, a Cuban named Jordán was arrested as an accomplice in the murder of a dentist in the same city. The prosecutor's office accuses him of monitoring the victim's movements to facilitate the crime, potentially facing up to 25 years in prison.
State prosecutor Raciel López Salazar explained that Jordán reported the times the dentist arrived and left his office, allowing the perpetrator to even attend a consultation disguised as a patient "to identify his target."
In May, a neighborhood dispute in Supermanzana 23 led to riots where about 200 individuals attacked a Cuban couple's home in Cancun, involving police, National Guard, and Army intervention. In June, four Cubans were prosecuted for drug dealing in the Hotel Zone.
Officer Enrique García acknowledged to 14ymedio that there are cases of extortion, drug sales, prostitution, and some attempts at property seizure among Cubans in the city. However, he clarified that these are limited to a small group concentrated in the Little Havana area.
The investigation into Saturday’s crime remains ongoing, with the two assailants still at large by the time of this report's completion.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Cancun Shooting Incident
What is known about the Cuban man who was shot in Cancun?
The victim, identified as Juan "N," was a Cuban man between 30 and 35 years old who was shot multiple times by two assailants on a motorcycle in Cancun.
Have the suspects in the shooting been apprehended?
No suspects have been arrested as of yet, and authorities are reviewing surveillance footage to identify the perpetrators.
Is there a connection between the shooting and xenophobic sentiments in Cancun?
Officials have stated that there is no link between the crime and any xenophobic campaigns against the Cuban community in Cancun, despite recent tensions.