A man of Cuban origin was arrested in the city of Mérida, in the state of Yucatán, after carrying out a series of water gun attacks on cyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians.
What seemed like a joke ended with charges of disturbing the peace.
A game that put lives at risk
The Public Security Secretariat (SSP) of Yucatán arrested Ariel Ayón, 53 years old and originally from Cuba this week after receiving multiple citizen complaints about a black car that was spraying water at people in motion on various streets in Mérida, including the dangerous Periférico.
According to reports, the individual was driving a black Chevrolet Aveo from which he approached motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians, and even other drivers to spray them with water using a plastic gun.
On social media, several users shared videos of the vehicle in action, clearly showing it collaborating with another person amid laughter and recordings, as if it were a game.
However, for the victims and witnesses, the act was far from appearing harmless.
“It's no joke when you're riding a motorcycle and someone throws water at you out of nowhere. You can lose your balance or have an accident,” reported a citizen on Facebook.
Although it has not been confirmed that it was a TikTok viral challenge, many users on social media interpreted it that way, given the tone of the videos and the attitude of the aggressors.
In the images that circulated, the individuals can be heard laughing while carrying out the attacks, which heightened the outrage of the local community.
"Cubans go out to film TikTok challenges and annoy Yucatecos", titled one of the media outlets that covered the news, reflecting the discomfort this episode caused among the residents.
There were public calls for the authorities to intervene and sanction the behavior.
Localization and capture operation
The SSP took action after confirming the validity of the reports. Thanks to the license plate readers, the offending vehicle was located driving on kilometer 21 of the Periférico in Mérida.
He was intercepted by the patrols at kilometer 25, where it was confirmed that Ariel Ayón was traveling inside, still holding the water gun.
The arrest was carried out without major incidents, and both the individual and the car were taken: Ariel for disturbing the public order, and the vehicle to the official impound lot for the corresponding legal purposes.
Legal consequences
Although it may seem like a minor act at first glance, the laws of Yucatán impose severe penalties on those who engage in disturbances that endanger others.
According to the current legal framework, penalties can range from one to four years of imprisonment, as well as monetary fines and community service.
If the arrested Cuban does not have a regularized legal status in Mexico, their behavior could trigger a referral process to the National Migration Institute (INM) and potentially lead to deportation.
Through statements, the SSP has reminded citizens that these types of actions are not innocent jokes, but rather acts that jeopardize the road and physical safety of individuals.
“It’s not about whether the water gets you wet or not. It’s about the element of surprise, the fright, the potential accident. It’s not a game,” said a police spokesperson in statements to local media.
The case also adds to the national debate about the limits of viral content and the challenges of social media, many of which have resulted in tragedies or legal repercussions.
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