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After the viralization of an incident in Supermanzana 23 in Cancun, where a Cuban citizen was accused of assaulting a Mexican who confronted him about his dog's bite, members of the Cuban community residing in Mexico spoke out publicly to reject the notion that the behavior of one individual represents them all.
The case triggered disturbances on the evening of last Wednesday, when about 200 people gathered outside the home of the accused with the intent to confront him. When they could not find him, some attendees threw stones and bottles at the house, causing material damage and prompting the deployment of a response team consisting of Municipal Police, State Police, the Mexican Army, National Guard, and riot control units. The citizens dispersed around 9:30 PM.
Subsequently, the Cuban citizen unofficially identified as Rigoberto "N" and his partner Yudelmis "N" were taken into custody and transferred to the National Institute of Migration, where it was unofficially revealed that he might face a repatriation process to Cuba.
In light of the hostile atmosphere generated on social media, several Cubans residing in Mexico raised their voices with a common message: to condemn the aggression, to express gratitude for Mexican hospitality, and to prevent the incident from leading to collective stigmatization.
The user "Chronicle of a Dentist in Mexico" was one of the most widely shared, expressing feelings of "anger and shame" regarding the behavior of the compatriot involved. "That behavior does not represent the majority, but it tarnishes us all," he wrote, also extending a direct apology to the Mexican people.
Alexander de la Paz, Cuban with more than 27 years of residence in Mexico, criticized the confrontational and superiority attitudes that, in his opinion, some newly arrived compatriots maintain in Mexican territory, and urged them to focus on working and respecting the country's norms.
Freddy Torres Wong, who has been living in Mexico for five years, described the aggression as "shameful" and characterized the country as "a noble, supportive, and generous nation," emphasizing that the vast majority of Cuban migrants seek to work and integrate.
The incident is not isolated. On April 16th, residents from the same Supermanzana 23 had already protested in front of the Benito Juárez town hall, demanding increased security and migration intervention, after another fight involving Cubans went viral. On that occasion, residents reported at least ten monthly incidents of assaults and thefts in Supermanzanas 22, 23, 24, 26, and 27.
The episode also has a broader dimension. According to a report from Human Rights Watch published on May 27, between January 2025 and March 9, 2026, the United States deported nearly 13,000 people from third countries to Mexico, with Cubans being the largest group at 4,353 deported, many of whom end up settling in cities like Cancún under precarious economic conditions and without work permits.
Marylín Torres Leal, president of the migrant support foundation CISVAC, warned that since the beginning of 2026, discrimination against Cubans in Cancun has been increasing: difficulty finding employment, refusal to rent them housing, insults on the street, and even signs in the city center stating "no Cubans allowed."
"Many people will pay the price for others' mistakes, which is concerning. The issue could escalate and worsen if not addressed," warned Torres Leal.
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