Mexico: US Issues Travel Alert in Cancun as Taxi Drivers Block Roads to Harass Uber Drivers

Taxi drivers have been fighting with Uber drivers since the ride-hailing app first began. However, the harassment Uber drivers have gotten in Cancun, Mexico became so bad that the U.S. State Department issued a travel advisory for the popular Mexican resort city.

According to the Associated Press, Medallion Taxi drivers in Cancun are harassing not just Uber drivers but also passengers. These taxi drivers blocked one of the main roads leading to the city's hotel district, and it forced tourists to walk or even catch their Uber rides in police pickups.

The State Department said in its statement that the disputes between local taxi unions and ride-hailing app drivers have "occasionally turned violent." These violent disputes have even resulted in the injuries of U.S. citizens.

Cancun Mayor Angry at Taxi Drivers

The travel advisory resulted in a humiliating turn for the city's local government, and Cancun Mayor Ana Patricia Peralta took to social media to call out the taxi drivers. She said she would not allow the "destination's image and personal security to be violated by a few."

VOA News reported that in her post, the mayor asked both sides to put their differences aside and "take care of our people, the people of Cancun and our visitors who place their trust in us."

The local government of Cancun has called out these taxi drivers and told them to show restraint. They are reportedly unhappy about the competition from Uber drivers and accuse them of unfair competition.

The dispute escalated after a Quintana Roo state court ruled that drivers for the ride-hailing app can operate without a concession required by transport companies.

On the other hand, Uber drivers accuse the city's taxi drivers of intercepting them and even forcing their passengers to get out of their vehicles. There are also Uber drivers that claim that they receive death threats and were also beaten up by taxi drivers. Others claim they had stones thrown at their cars.

Cancun Taxi Drivers Continue to Harass Uber Drivers, Even With Passengers Aboard

The most recent incident happened last Thursday when a group of taxi drivers reportedly chased down an Uber with Russian tourists aboard. A viral video of the incident surfaced, and the Russian family who was just in Cancun to enjoy their vacation were clearly unaware of what was going on, according to the Cancun Sun.

The Uber driver reportedly picked up the Russian family at the Plaza Las Americas in downtown Cancun. They were headed to the hotel district after visiting the shopping center. However, they were then followed by drivers from the Andres Quintana Roo Taxi Union.

The Uber driver tried to avoid them but was intercepted by three additional drivers. These taxi drivers then forced the Russian family out of the car and told them that Uber was operating in the country illegally. This is despite the recent ruling that says otherwise.

The Uber driver did manage to call authorities, who later arrived to diffuse the situation. Nobody was arrested, as the taxi drivers were only given a warning.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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