A 31-year-old Cuban man, identified as Rey, was shot twice on Wednesday in Santa María Moyotzingo, located in the municipality of San Martín Texmelucan, Puebla. The incident occurred after he went to meet a seller for a car advertised on social media.
According to Diario Cambio, upon arriving at the designated meeting location, Rey noticed armed individuals. In a bid to escape, he was hit by at least two bullets before managing to drive away.
Despite his injuries, Rey was able to drive to a nearby location where he encountered municipal police officers in San Martín Texmelucan and asked for help.
Emergency medical staff from Protección Civil transported him to the local municipal hospital. However, due to the severity of his injuries, he was later moved to the Hospital de Traumatología y Ortopedia in Puebla. His current medical condition remains unknown as of the latest update.
Rising Threat of Social Media Scams
This incident reflects a growing trend in Mexico where criminals lure victims by advertising attractive vehicle deals online, arranging meetings in secluded areas, and then ambushing them. In 2025, Mexico City's Secretariat of Citizen Security arrested 40 individuals for extortion linked to car sales on social platforms, with victims often ending up assaulted or shot.
The Federal Consumer Protection Agency reports that the risk of fraud in informal used car transactions ranges from 40% to 70%, with 80% of these sales occurring outside of official channels, including social media.
Security Measures and Inaction
San Martín Texmelucan authorities offer a free police escort program for such transactions and have offices for Automotive Tracking Control to verify vehicle documentation. Nonetheless, the report highlights that few individuals take advantage of these services.
The region of Moyotzingo is plagued by concerning levels of insecurity. In January 2026, a young 25-year-old was fatally shot over ten times in the same area, and in 2025, the gang known as "Los Cachimberos de Moyotzingo," involved in drug trafficking, was dismantled.
Increased Violence Against Cubans
The attack on Rey is part of a troubling pattern of violence against Cubans in Puebla and the neighboring Tlaxcala region. In October 2024, Cuban Yordis Nariño Delgado was murdered in Tlaxcala, with suspects fleeing to San Martín Texmelucan, highlighting criminal links between the areas.
In April 2026, an operation in the State of Mexico dismantled an extortion network with over 100 arrests, including two Cubans, demonstrating how Cuban migrants are both victims and occasionally participants in criminal operations.
The Puebla-Tlaxcala corridor is a key migration route for Cubans heading north towards the United States, making them especially vulnerable to criminal networks targeting them as easy prey. In March 2026, four Cuban migrants were tortured and burned alive in a hotel in Apizaco, Tlaxcala, marking one of the most brutal attacks against Cubans in the area.
Rey's health status remains unverified, and Puebla authorities have yet to announce any arrests related to the shooting.
Understanding the Risks in Vehicle Transactions in Mexico
What precautions should be taken when buying a used car in Mexico?
To ensure safety, buyers should arrange meetings in public places and consider using police escort services offered by local authorities. It's also important to verify the vehicle's documentation through official channels.
Why are Cuban migrants particularly vulnerable in the Puebla-Tlaxcala region?
The Puebla-Tlaxcala corridor is a significant migration route for Cubans, making them targets for criminal organizations that exploit their vulnerable status as they travel towards the United States.
Have there been any arrests related to the shooting incident involving Rey?
As of now, there have been no reports of arrests connected to the attack on Rey in San Martín Texmelucan.