Playa del Carmen, Q.R. — Local authorities are investigating an attempted machete assault against a taxi driver during an altercation. Police started the investigation from a video showing a man chasing the Playa del Carmen taxi driver with a long machete in hand.
The incident happened Wednesday afternoon in central Playa del Carmen. The two men, a taxi driver and a civilian, were exchanging words when the civilian turned and retrieved a machete from his parked car.
He is then seen chasing the Playa del Carmen taxi driver down the street at which point he swings the machete down, missing the back of the taxi driver. The pair stop running and the armed civilian walks back to his vehicle.
According to local reports, the incident happened when the taxi driver confronted the civilian, acusing him of being a rideshare driver.
After the release of the video, the Playa del Carmen Taxi Drivers Union said they “strongly condemned the attack that occurred in downtown Playa del Carmen, where a motorist chased and attacked one of the union’s drivers with a machete after being confronted for being mistaken for a ride-hailing driver.”
The State Attorney General (FGE) has since released a statement saying an investigation into the afternoon incident is underway.
“The Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office (FGE Quintana Roo) reports the opening of an investigation into the events that occurred in the municipality of Playa del Carmen, which were disseminated through social media.
“The video shows an alleged ride-hailing driver attempting to attack a taxi driver with a blunt weapon.
“According to initial investigations, the attack posed a real risk to the taxi driver’s safety. The investigation is also looking into the possible possession of a firearm in a public transportation vehicle.
“This Public Prosecutor’s Office is carrying out the corresponding procedures to clarify the facts, determine responsibility, and proceed firmly and in accordance with the law against whoever is found responsible.
“No act of violence on public transportation will be tolerated, whether it comes from taxi drivers, ride-hailing drivers, private individuals, or public service providers.
“The Quintana Roo Attorney General’s Office reiterates that all violent conduct will be investigated and punished severely. In Quintana Roo, the law is applied without exception.”
