Quintana Roo Governor's 97 Private Flights
Tourism leaders in Quintana Roo have remained silent following a report detailing 97 private flights taken by Governor Mara Lezama to luxury US
Tourism organizations in Quintana Roo have declined to comment on a report revealing Governor Mara Lezama's extensive use of private flights. According to an investigation published by Reforma, the governor has taken 97 private flights to luxury US destinations like Orlando, Florida, and Vail, Colorado.
Records cited in the report show Mara Lezama has 119 migration movements, with 97 linked to private flights. These records cover her time as municipal president of Benito Juárez, whose seat is Cancún, and her subsequent tenure as governor since September 2022.
Flight Details and Destinations
The investigation is based on airport records and data from the US Department of Homeland Security. It documents the use of private aircraft models including Learjet, Gulfstream, and Hawker. The average flight cost is estimated at $6,000 per hour.
Her most frequent private flight destinations are Orlando, Florida, and Vail, Colorado. The report also notes commercial flights to European and Canadian cities.
Financial Contrast and Political Context
Under the estimated rates, a one-way flight to Orlando would cost approximately 406,000 pesos. A flight to Vail would be around 812,000 pesos. These figures contrast notably with the governor's reported net monthly salary of 102,598 pesos.
Governor Lezama acknowledged using these private flights abroad. She denied using public resources to pay for them. She also stated the number of flights was lower than what was reported.
The report states that Mara Lezama, members of her family, and Morenista senator Eugenio “Gino” Segura accumulated 605 migration entries and exits from Mexico between December 2018 and December 2025. Of that total, 283 movements were related to flights on private aircraft. Senator Segura is reportedly pointed to as her potential successor.
Sector Silence
The issue has dominated the political news in Quintana Roo and the country due to its unusual nature. It is expected to influence the public agenda in the coming days.
Despite this, the most representative tourism organizations in the state have chosen not to express any considerations of support or suspicion. This includes business tourism lobbies and unions. The sector that sustains the entity's economy has remained silent. These organizations represent a state with referents like José Chapur or Xcaret.
The tourism leaders have avoided making a statement for days.
