Tulum, Q.R. — Dozens of homes have been left in heaps after a shock group ripped through an invasion zone Wednesday. Squatters in the Tren Maya irregular settlement located approximately six kilometers south of the town of Tulum, had their homes destroyed early this morning in an eviction.
A ‘shock group’ of men, allegedly hired by local authorities, accompanied police who stormed the invasion zone around 3:00 a.m., knocking down every standing structure. Residents were left to collect their belongings Wednesday morning when daylight broke.
The eviction is being called “a surprise” by the residents who are also calming there was no warrant to remove them. In retaliation, they closed a section of the federal highway using tires they lit on fire.
Firefighters from the Tulum fire department arrived early Wednesday morning when motorist reported being unable to pass through the area. Municipal Police were sent to open the roadway, at which time, Tulum firemen arrived to put out the fire that left the entire highway blocked.
Traffic was backed up for kilometers in both directions while authorities worked to put out the fires and remove debris from the road.
The highway was reopened to traffic by mid-morning. A heavy police presence remained in the area. Local authorities have not commented on the eviction or allegations of a ‘shock group’ being hired to tear down the homes.
