Quintana Roo Tax Director Resigns After NBA Game Trip Sparks Criticism

Héctor Contreras Mercader has resigned as the director-general of Quintana Roo's Tax Administration Service (SATQ) amid public backlash over his attendance at an NBA Finals game in New York. The resignation was announced just before the opening match of the 2026 Football World Cup was broadcast in Quintana Roo.

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In congruence with the principles that govern public service, as well as the commitment to transparency and accountability of the state administration, I have made the decision to present my resignation from the position of director general of the Tax Administration Service of the State of Quintana Roo.

Contreras Mercader cited transparency and accountability as reasons for his departure, emphasizing that his trip was strictly personal and funded with his own resources. He stated that he had requested two days of unpaid leave and covered all travel and ticket expenses himself. "My attendance at a basketball game in New York City was in a strictly personal capacity," he declared.

The former official explained his decision to step down was to prevent the controversy from continuing to cast a shadow over the state administration's work. The public had questioned whether his reported average monthly income of 64,000 pesos was sufficient to cover a ticket that reportedly cost over 400,000 pesos, casting doubt on his claims of self-funding.

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My attendance at a basketball game in New York City, was in a strictly personal capacity.

His resignation aims to avoid hindering the public administration's operations or creating distractions from institutional work. The Quintana Roo government has not yet announced who will succeed Contreras Mercader as the head of SATQ.

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This determination has the sole purpose of not hindering the proper functioning of the public administration nor giving rise to accusations that distract from institutional work.