Mexico Travel Restrictions Eased as Ferry Explosion Investigation Continues

A Mexican newspaper is reporting that last month’s ferry explosion in Playa del Carmen that left over 25 people injured was caused by a home-made explosive.

According to Reuters.com, reports from local newspaper El Universal claim the explosive device was placed onboard by someone with knowledge of mining materials and then detonated from a distance. The newspaper sources an investigation conducted by the Mexican attorney general’s office.

Media outlets in Playa del Carmen report the ferry was operated by Barcos Caribe, a company owned by former Quintana Roo governor Roberto Borge, who was recently extradited from Panama to Mexico to face corruption charges.

In a report from Mexico News Daily, local sources claim a surveillance video obtained by police suggests there is evidence the explosion was a self-inflicted attack organized by an owner of the ferry line with the intent of collecting a large insurance payout.

As a result of the explosion and subsequent discovery of additional undetonated explosive devices on another vessel which had previously served the same route between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, the United States Embassy in Mexico City issued a security warning to travelers last Wednesday.

In a revised version of the travel alert issued Friday, the U.S. government is once again allowing its personnel to visit resort areas in Riviera Maya, including those near Playa del Carmen. They are still prohibited from visiting certain regions in Quintana Roo, including neighborhoods bordered by Avenida Benito Juarez.

The fallout from the ferry explosion also caused several major cruise lines serving the area, including Carnival, Princess and Royal Caribbean, to cancel shore excursions involving impacted vessels sailing between Playa del Carmen and Cozumel.