Foreign Woman Tries to Privatize Mexican Beach. Watch here.

Tensions flared in the port of Santa Clara, Dzidzantún, this past Sunday when a Canadian woman attempted to remove a local family from a beach. The woman, identified as Linda Gagnom, claimed the family was trespassing on private property. The incident, which was recorded by the family, showed Gagnom throwing eggs at their vehicle in an attempt to force them away.

The video reveals Gagnom, visibly upset and speaking in English, insisting that the family vacate the spot. The family, however, stood their ground, asserting that Mexican law designates all beaches as public property, and therefore, they were not infringing on any private land. Despite Gagnom’s persistence, the family remained, condemning her attempt to wrongfully privatize a public space.

This incident is not the first of its kind in Santa Clara. Local residents have reported multiple instances of foreign homeowners, particularly from Canada and Italy, attempting to limit access to the coastline. In November 2024, Italian resident Alessandro Pirozzi caused a stir when he prevented local fishermen from setting crab traps near his property, claiming they were intruding on his “private sea”.

These disputes have heightened tensions within the community. Locals are increasingly concerned about foreign residents’ attempts to privatize public access areas along the Yucatán coast. Despite the General Law of National Assets stipulating that all Mexican beaches should be freely accessible, there have been numerous instances of foreign residents erecting barriers or employing guards to deter locals.

The recent incident involving the Canadian woman in Santa Clara underscores a growing issue in the region. The expansion of real estate and influx of foreign residents have led to an escalating number of disputes over access to natural spaces.