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FGE summons Cozumel taxi driver after altercation with island tourist

Cozumel, Q.R. — A Cozumel taxi driver captured in a heated argument with an island tourist was summoned to the FGE. Thursday, the unnamed cab driver was requested to appear before the State Attorney General (FGE) of the state as part of an investigation.

A group of taxi drivers from the Adolfo López Mateos union were outside the FGE (Fiscalía General Del Estado) building in support of the summoned driver. Union leader Adonis Uriel Estrella Torres explained that the driver had come voluntarily to give his version of what had happened and to clarify that “it was all a misunderstanding.”

According to the report, the tourists took a cab from an attraction outside the city of San Miguel to a restaurant in the city where the man refused to pay the 200 peso fee requested by the driver. Instead, he paid with a 100 peso bill.

FGE summons Cozumel taxi driver in altercation with island tourist

According to the taxi driver, that was when he got out of his cab and the argument began. After a heated debate, the tourist agreed to pay the 200 pesos since his taxi services was considered outside the city.

“This was all a misunderstanding. I came voluntarily to testify in this matter that involves me and the entire union,” the Cozumel taxi driver said.

He said he regrets that the argument was recorded and went international on social media. “My mistake was getting upset, but I was defending my rights,” he said.

The Cozumel taxi driver, center, says he regrets getting upset.

Ernesto Padilla, the taxi driver’s lawyer, explained that the FGE began an investigation ex officio when the news broke, so the Cozumel taxi driver gave his version of the events.

“The prosecution will have to prove that there is a crime, but we are confident that there is no evidence to continue with this investigation,” he said.

Jorge Basto Estrella, the union’s General Secretary, said that the taxi driver is currently suspended due to his behavior toward the tourist.

“I hope this doesn’t happen again and that there are no reprisals by the authorities against the taxi drivers. We don’t want to fall into provocations,” he said.