Cancún, Mexico – March 13, 2025 – Authorities in Cancún are continuing their search for one inmate who remains at large following a brazen escape from the Cereso prison in region 99. The incident, which occurred around 9:45 PM local time on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, triggered a red alert and a large-scale joint operation involving security forces from all three levels of the Mexican government.
Se activa código rojo por presunta fuga de reos de la Cárcel de #Cancun @PincheHuesos pic.twitter.com/olaNr7mYBi
— José Díaz (@JJDiazMachuca) March 13, 2025
According to initial reports, three inmates managed to escape the correctional facility by scaling the perimeter fence before fleeing on foot. The escape was quickly reported to the C5 security complex by a prison guard, prompting an immediate response. Adding to the official account, neighbors residing near the prison reported witnessing three individuals jumping over the wall and running from the vicinity. These eyewitness accounts corroborated the initial alert and aided in the swift mobilization of security personnel.
🚨‼️CÓDIGO ROJO‼️🛑 FUGA DE REOS EN EL PENAL DE CANCÚN; FALTA UNO 😱🚔🔍
— ¡QUÉ POCA MADRE! 🇲🇽 (@QuePocaMadre_Mx) March 13, 2025
📌 Esta noche., tres reos lograron escapar del Cereso de #Cancún, #QuintantaRoo, saltando la barda perimetral. Inmediatamente se activó el #Códig Rojo y fuerzas de seguridad, incluyendo Policía, Marina,… pic.twitter.com/ELXpwaWPxb
Within hours of the escape, law enforcement successfully recaptured two of the three fugitives in separate operations. The first apprehension took place just meters from the Cereso, in front of the Secundaria Técnica 25, where one of the escaped inmates was intercepted. A second inmate was located and detained in one of the blocks situated near the prison in a subsequent action. Both individuals were promptly transferred back to the penitentiary and placed back into custody. As of the latest reports, the identities of the recaptured inmates, as well as the crimes for which they were serving sentences, have not been officially disclosed.

However, the search for the third escaped inmate remains ongoing and is currently the top priority for security forces in the region. The search efforts are concentrated in several blocks of Cancún, specifically blocks 99, 102, 103, 517, 519, and 520, where authorities believe the fugitive may be hiding. The search perimeter also extends to key transportation arteries in the city, including Nichupté Avenue and José López Portillo Avenue, as authorities consider the possibility that the individual may attempt to use these routes to move further away from the prison.

The extensive search operation involves a significant deployment of personnel and resources from various security agencies. The Municipal Police, the Secretary of the Navy (Semar), the Mexican Army, and the National Guard are all actively participating in the effort to locate and apprehend the remaining fugitive. To facilitate the operation and ensure public safety, authorities have implemented temporary road closures in certain areas. They have also appealed to the public for their cooperation, urging residents to allow security units to pass freely and to report any suspicious activity they may observe in the area.

This latest incident marks a concerning trend, as it is the third escape from the Cereso prison in Cancún in less than a year. The most recent prior escape occurred on October 20, 2024, when an inmate identified as Gilberto “N” successfully fled the same facility. Gilberto “N” was under investigation for the serious crimes of rape and homicide of a minor and remains at large. The State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) continues to actively seek his capture, with an active search warrant in place and a reward of 300,000 pesos being offered for any information that leads to his arrest. The fact that another escape has occurred while a fugitive accused of such heinous crimes is still at large has amplified concerns regarding the security measures in place at the Cereso prison.

Authorities have indicated that an expanded report providing further details about the incident, the status of the ongoing operation, and the measures that will be implemented to prevent future escapes is expected to be released by the Secretary of Security in the coming hours. This report is anticipated to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the breach and the identities of the involved inmates. The recurring nature of these escapes will likely prompt a thorough review of the security protocols and infrastructure at the Cereso prison to identify and address any underlying vulnerabilities. The ability of inmates to repeatedly breach the facility’s perimeter raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the current security measures and the need for immediate and comprehensive improvements to ensure the safety and security of both the prison and the wider community.
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