The Movement for Equality in Mexico Civil Association (Movii) has recently raised concerns over the alleged abuse of authority and attempted extortion by Vallarta police against a gay couple, asserting that this incident is far from isolated.
Victor Espindola, the director general of Movii, stated, “This situation is unfortunately not an isolated case. We have received reports from other tourists and residents, including young people and members of the LGBTQI community, who have been victims of similar abuse.”
The latest incident involves two municipal police officers who allegedly arrested a tourist couple and attempted to extort them by falsely accusing them of consuming cocaine in public. The victims, identified as Christopher and Juan Manuel, were targeted in what Movii describes as a deliberate act of harassment and extortion.
Movii has expressed its strong discontent with the situation, emphasizing that it is not the first time such incidents have occurred against members of the LGBTQI community in Puerto Vallarta. The organization is urging local authorities and relevant institutions to take immediate action to investigate these claims thoroughly.
“We urge the authorities of Puerto Vallarta and the corresponding institutions to investigate these events promptly, take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and respect for human rights of all citizens and visitors, and implement actions to prevent future police abuse and corruption,” Movii stated in a public appeal.
The civil association also extended gratitude to those who have shown support for Christopher and Juan Manuel during this challenging period. “We thank all those who have shown their support for Christopher and Juan Manuel during this difficult time. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that situations like these do not happen again and to ensure that Puerto Vallarta is a safe and welcoming place for everyone,” Espindola added.
In addition, Movii is calling for widespread dissemination of this information to ensure it reaches the relevant authorities and prompts necessary actions. “We ask that you share this information so that it reaches the relevant authorities and the necessary measures can be taken,” Movii urges.
The call for action comes amid increasing scrutiny of police practices in Puerto Vallarta, particularly concerning their treatment of vulnerable communities. Movii’s statements underscore a pressing need for systemic reforms to protect human rights and prevent abuses of power by law enforcement.
