The tension surrounding the Cuban community in Cancun erupted again this Wednesday after dozens of people gathered in front of the home of a Cuban migrant accused of physically assaulting a Mexican citizen following an incident involving a dog.
The situation ended with stones, bottles, and property damage against the house located in Supermanzana 23, one of the areas where, in recent months, reports of violent incidents involving migrants have increased, according to reports from local media.
It all began when a citizen publicly reported having been the victim of a double assault. According to what he recounted in a video shared on social media, he was first bitten by a dog that was off-leash and was subsequently attacked, allegedly by the dog's owner, identified by local media as a Cuban citizen.
The affected person explained that, after the bite, he approached the dog owner to ask for explanations and inquire whether the pet was up to date on vaccinations, given the health risks associated with these types of attacks.
However, instead of receiving a response, he stated that the man entered his home and shortly afterward came out to physically attack him.
In the viral video, the whistleblower showed injuries allegedly sustained during the altercation and called for authorities to intervene. He also stated his intention to take legal action for both the dog bite and the physical assault.
The recording quickly spread on social media and sparked a wave of hostile comments against Cubans living in Cancun. Phrases like "He took home a dog bite and a Cuban 'pingazo'" or "Those Cubans are really pushing it now" started circulating in local posts and groups.
Hours later, users called for a protest in front of the home of the person named. Some messages even employed mocking expressions and invited others to “visit the Cuban piñata.”
As evening fell, dozens of people gathered at the location. Witnesses reported that some began throwing stones and bottles at the facade, breaking windows, damaging doors, and destroying part of the entrance gate while demanding that the Cuban come out of the house.
The situation necessitated the deployment of a strong security operation involving the Municipal Police, State Police, National Guard, Navy, and riot control teams to disperse the crowd and prevent a larger confrontation.
So far, no arrests or injuries have been officially reported, although reports circulating on social media claim that the alleged assailant was wounded and subsequently sheltered inside the building.
The episode occurs amid a growing climate of tension in Cancun related to violent incidents involving Cuban citizens. On April 16, neighbors of Superblock 23 protested in front of the Benito Juárez town hall demanding greater security and actions from the National Migration Institute, following yet another fight involving Cubans that went viral.
This context aligns with an unprecedented Cuban migration flow to Mexico. A recent report from Human Rights Watch indicates that 4,353 Cubans were deported from the United States to Mexico between January 2025 and March 2026, becoming the largest group among nationals from third countries expelled to Mexican territory. Many end up settling in cities like Cancun under precarious economic conditions and facing increasing social rejection.
In legal matters, the Animal Protection and Welfare Regulation of the municipality of Benito Juárez stipulates that dogs must be walked on a leash, with a collar and identification tag in public spaces. In cases of animals deemed more dangerous, the use of a muzzle is also mandatory. Violations may result in fines and civil liabilities for damages to third parties.
For now, neither the Quintana Roo Prosecutor's Office nor the municipal authorities have reported the formal opening of investigations related to the disturbances or the initial report of aggression.
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