Cancún's Policing Upgrades: 244 New Officers and a Specialized Explosive Unit

Five years ago, I packed my life from Mexico City to Cancún in a packed Nissan, planning to stay for six months. The Caribbean had other plans, and now, as a digital nomad running an e-commerce business from a hammock, I find myself deeply involved in the local community. So, when news like this comes along, it hits home.

On September 15, 2026, the state of Quintana Roo graduated 244 new police officers from the Universidad de Ciencias y Disciplinas de la Seguridad de Quintana Roo, marking the fifth generation of specialized law enforcement. This graduation comes with the exciting news of the creation of the Agrupamiento de Búsqueda, Localización y Neutralización de Artefactos Explosivos (BLONAE), an eight-member unit trained in electronics, applied chemistry, controlled detonation, and the destruction of military equipment by the Secretaría de Marina.

Of the 244 new officers, 179 will join the Proximity Police, 13 will be part of the Penitentiary Police, 16 will be assigned to the Special Surveillance Service, and 28 will be integrated into the Jaguar Tactical Force. These numbers represent a significant boost in the state's police presence, especially as tourism continues to grow in Cancún and the surrounding areas.

“The security of Quintana Roo is built with strong institutions and officers who are close to the community, not just from an office or a climate-controlled patrol car,”

quoted the state governor, Mara Lezama Espinosa. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the state's security forces, which has seen the state police force increase from 1,532 to 2,500 officers in just three years. Additionally, ten inter-institutional operation bases have been established in various communities.