Tekit, Yucatán, has been the scene of a tragedy that should alarm both society and authorities: A public lynching as a response to crime. In this case, a man accused of murdering a woman was lynched and burned alive by an angry mob. This shocking and brutal event is not isolated in the Yucatecan context. It is part of what I have unilaterally called “the anger of the Yucatecan”: a collective manifestation of anger and popular justice that, although alarming, has deep cultural and social roots.
As I mentioned in a previous article, “the wrath of the Yucatecan” is an intense emotional response that arises when there is a perceived threat or lack of respect for the values, traditions, or community of the Yucatecan people. This sociological phenomenon manifests itself on various occasions, from lynchings of alleged criminals to the mass reproval of those who dare to criticize or mock essential elements of Yucatecan identities, such as gastronomy, traditions, or daily life.
There are plenty of examples: “Lady Pib,” who unleashed indignation by making fun of the mucbilpollo, or “Lady Huracán,” who described Yucatecans as lazy, generating a storm of criticism against her. These episodes reveal something undeniable: the Yucatecans are gentle, kind, and calm… until they stop being so.
While it is natural for anger to arise when faced with acts perceived as unjust or insulting, collective anger can lead to acts of extreme violence, as in the case of Tekit. Vigilante justice not only fails the rule of law but also represents a danger to social cohesion and community security.
The reference to Fuente Ovejuna, a play by Lope de Vega, is unavoidable. The famous phrase “Who killed the Comendador? Fuente Ovejuna, señor!” reflects the action of a people united in search of justice. Still, it also points out the risks of collective justice: when everyone participates, no one is responsible. This lynching is a desperate cry from a society that feels that the legal and security system has failed it.
Is this the first step towards a dangerous escalation? The answer is a resounding yes. If the authorities do not intervene with firmness and clarity, this brutal event could become the first in a series of similar acts where the mob takes the place of the institutions.
The lynching in Tekit is an urgent reminder to authorities at all levels: in matters of security, Yucatecans are willing to allow collective emotions to overflow the bounds of reason. If not appeased and channeled into actions that promote justice, coexistence, and social peace, Yucatecans’ anger could turn this tranquil society into one of the most violent in the country. As the popular adage goes, “God, take care of me in the calm waters; I take care of myself in the rough ones.”
Be careful authorities. Do not confuse the Yucatecans’ cultural strength, pride, and kindness with weakness. As has been demonstrated, when trust in institutions is broken, the Yucatecans’ anger can transform, in an instant, into intolerance and extreme violence.
The preservation of social peace requires a joint effort from the authorities to guarantee security and justice and from society to maintain reason in the face of anger. While outrage at crime is understandable, justice by one’s own hand only leaves a path of destruction and barbarism.
For Times Media Mexico / The Yucatan Times
José E. Urioste Palomeque
January 28, 2025
Merida, Yucatan
