Playa del Carmen Mayor Stops Fake News About Construction

Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado addressed misinformation on social media, asserting that the remodeling project on 10th Avenue is not only sustainable but will also increase the number of trees in the area.

PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Q. ROO.- Amid a climate of public debate about infrastructure projects in the city, Playa del Carmen Mayor Estefanía Mercado has made a strong call to citizens not to fall for misinformation or "fake news" regarding the remodeling of the emblematic 10th Avenue.

The controversy arose from social media posts claiming the project would involve massive tree felling. In response, the mayor was blunt: "Don't fall for fake news; 10th Avenue will have more trees," she asserted in statements reported by local media.

The municipal government's position, as expressed by Mercado, is that every public project undertaken under its administration is guided by three fundamental principles: sustainability, social welfare, and transparency.

• More Trees, Not Less: The central promise is that the 10th Avenue project is designed to increase the forest cover along the road, directly contradicting rumors of deforestation.
• Citizen Listening: The mayor emphasized that her administration acts by "listening to the people," suggesting that the project design has taken the community's environmental concerns into account.
• Future Vision: We seek to act responsibly, considering the long-term development of Playa del Carmen as a destination that balances urban growth with environmental protection.

"The municipal government reaffirms that every public project is guided by criteria of sustainability, social well-being, and transparency, listening to the people and acting responsibly toward the future." – Official position of the Playa del Carmen City Council.

Playa del Carmen is experiencing a period of intense transformation. The municipality has positioned itself as a magnet for digital nomads and new investments, which places constant pressure on its infrastructure and natural resources. This accelerated growth means that any public works project is subject to intense scrutiny by an increasingly aware and participatory citizenry.

The mayor's communications strategy seeks to root out misinformation, a phenomenon that can erode public trust and hinder project development. By directly addressing rumors, Estefanía Mercado's administration is attempting to maintain control of the narrative and reaffirm its political agenda.

This episode underscores the importance of transparent communication in modern public management, especially in a municipality where the balance between development and conservation is a topic of ongoing debate and of vital importance to its future.